The strong Atmospheric River that just rolled through California has left absolutely catastrophic destruction in its wake, killing at least six people. A potent atmospheric river is having a profound impact across the region, and particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area. It has since Wednesday evening released a slug of deep tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean, delivering very heavy rain to much of the state since then.
The storm has been especially hard on Southern California. It opened the heavens, as Reddick described, flooding the Coachella Valley and washing out hundreds of roadways. Reports indicate that over four inches of rain fell in coastal Santa Barbara County alone, contributing to dangerous conditions in several areas. The storm has caused significant flooding in the Palm Springs region, exacerbating travel disruptions and safety hazards for residents and visitors alike.
Unfortunately, the storm carried one five-year-old girl into the ocean at Point Lobos State Park with 15-foot waves. She tragically succumbed to her injuries in this devastating crash. This tragic incident unfolded when Hall’s father tried to save her, resulting in the drowning death of a 39-year-old man. In Sutter County, a once sleepy story turned tragic when a 71-year-old man’s vehicle was swept off a submerged bridge. Sadly, he died in the crash. These events underscore the deadly potential of Atmospheric River storms, which have become increasingly perilous due to the ongoing climate crisis.
The National Weather Service highlighted the storm’s aftermath, warning that “due to the abundant rainfall the past couple of days, it will not take as much rainfall to cause additional flooding/rockslide conditions.” Severe weather events, including hurricanes, heat waves and flooding, are exacerbated for these vulnerable populations. Climate change is fueling these increased risks and reshaping weather patterns around the world.
While Atmospheric Rivers are important for refilling California’s reservoirs and snowpack, their destructive power has increased dramatically in recent years. Climate experts tell us that the climate crisis is supercharging these storms, leading to increasingly deadly and costly outcomes. As the latest Atmospheric River continues to barrel through California, more hit-or-miss rain is expected across the Southern U.S. through Tuesday, further complicating recovery efforts from deadly flooding.