Two people died after being trapped in a flooded automobile in Northern California overnight rain, while the officials in a fire-ravaged canyon region in Southern California issued evacuation orders on Thursday due to the threat of debris and mud flows.
Firefighters in Millbrae were able to rescue two people who had climbed to the top of a flooded overpass. Although they tried, they were unsuccessful in reaching people in a submerged car, according to Detective Javier Acosta of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived just before 6 a.m. to reports of a car stranded in floods between Hillcrest Boulevard and Hemlock Avenue. According to initial accounts, two individuals were standing on the top of their car as floods surged, and deputies claimed first responders came and rescued them.
Evacuation starts as cracks detected in granite
An evacuation order has been issued for around 150 residents of the Twain Harte Lake Dam in Sierra Nevada after fractures were detected in the granite that connects the artificial part of the 11-meter structure, according to the National Weather Service.
According to the Tuolumne County Sheriff, authorities began releasing some of the water, although the dam didn’t seem to be in immediate danger.
“First responders attempted to gain access to the secondary vehicle and during the attempted rescue, the conditions became too dangerous for first responders, as the floodwaters were rising rapidly,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “As the waters receded, the Sheriff’s Office was able to determine that there were two people deceased in the secondary vehicle.”
Precipitation advisories for Southern California were issued after precipitation that had largely fallen in Northern California earlier this week spread over the whole state of California. Heavy rain poured in the southern region of the state late Thursday night and early Friday morning.
Firefighters had previously used a litter basket to rescue a man who had been stranded on a bridge pillar above the Los Angeles River and needed to be rescued.
Highways and low-lying areas in counties around San Francisco Bay were warned of moderate flooding, while avalanche warnings were issued for backcountry areas located in Inyo and Mono counties, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Use of tire chains enforced amid the threat
In the County of San Luis Obispo, flooding caused a stretch of a coastal highway to be closed, forcing the usage of tire chains on a number of major highways across the Sierra.
Forecasters have issued a flood warning for regions southeast and east of LA beginning Thursday evening, citing the prospect of severe overnight rain fuelled by an atmospheric river.
Several valleys near a wildfire burn have been ordered evacuated after heavy rains last week triggered muddy flash floods, according to Orange County authorities.
A half-dozen mountain locales in San Bernardino County have been issued with voluntary evacuation alerts, according to county authorities.
Heavy snow and rain expected in the holiday season
Throughout the holiday season and into the next week, rain and snow are predicted in California. Weather forecasters predict that snow levels in the northern United States will drop to 1,000 feet or below by Sunday, recommending Christmas travelers to plan ahead.
Forecasters from the Sacramento weather office warned that foothill communities that do not ordinarily get snow should be ready for winter conditions, particularly from Sunday through Tuesday early.
