Facts: Sky flood
The rain and snow storms that now time and again reach the coast of North America are seen as an example of an atmospheric river (“atmospheric river” in English).
Such means that very moist air is pushed into a narrow zone, similar to a channel which, when it enters over land, triggers incredibly abundant rain or snow.
More than 9,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes on Friday after snow, rain and strong winds hit parts of the state. In the community of Soquel in Santa Cruz County, several residential areas were isolated after a creek overflowed and destroyed parts of the main street. Residents have been asked to stay indoors.
The high water level of the Tule River in central California has led to several flooded homes and people should preferably avoid the roads if possible and heed the warnings issued.
The storm, a so-called flood, is the tenth in a row during the winter months in the last three years. Michael Anderson, a climatologist at the water authority DWR, states that additional winter storms could be on the way as early as next week.
At the same time, the authorities are trying to take advantage of the amounts of rain that will come as large parts of the state have suffered from extreme drought.