The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, decreed on the afternoon of this Sunday, February 4, a state of emergency for eight counties in the south of the state, including Los Angeles, due to a winter storm that threatens to leave records for rain and snow, in addition to winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, according to the National Meteorological Service.
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Residents of several cities in California received an evacuation alert this Sunday, February 4, due to the strong storm that is hitting the state and which, according to forecasts, will drop the greatest amount of rain, increasing the risk of flooding, landslides and blackouts. throughout the state.
Subsequently, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for eight counties in the south of the state. In addition to Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties were included in the declaration, which facilitates the deployment of resources and the use of the National Guard.
Rain totals have increased for northern areas, where locally catastrophic and life-threatening flooding is expected for Orange County, western parts of the Inland Empire, and SBD Mtn coastal slopes ⚠️ #CAwx
Please watch our latest video for more info: https://t.co/5uL6SpiokX pic.twitter.com/Lqzp73gMYe
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) February 5, 2024
Newsom did not rule out expanding the emergency declaration to other affected regions of the state.
He National Weather Service (NWS) from Los Angeles stated this Sunday that There is a flood watch in effect for all areas of the metropolitan region.
For her part, in a press conference, the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, pointed out that the storm hitting the region “is a serious climate event.”
“This has the potential to be a historic storm: strong winds, thunderstorms and even brief tornadoes,” added the mayor of Los Angeles.
Residents of several cities in Ventura County were forced to evacuate due to the danger of flooding. While thousands remain on alert for flash flood warnings, which would force them to abandon their homes, especially fire-stricken areas and coastal areas from the California border with Mexico to northern San Francisco Bay.
“Historic” storm in California
He National Metereological Service warned that The storm could leave “historical” records of accumulated rain of more than 15 centimeters.
“Given the large amounts of rainfall expected in the period, 3-6 hour rainfall rates could be catastrophic, potentially leading to mud and debris flow problems as well as rapid water overflows into local rivers and streams.” , indicated the NWS.
Blackouts have already been reported in the San Francisco Bay area and Sacramento. For that region, The agency issued a “hurricane force” wind warning.
Warnings for strong winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour are also in effect for nearly 30 million people in inland areas across most of the state.
The foothills and mountains, which expect record snowfall this Sunday, could have wind gusts of around 150 kilometers per hour.
With EFE
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