LOS ANGELES (AP) — Much of saturated California faced the threat of flooding Tuesday with winter storms blowing through, but so far the state has escaped the severity of damage from mudslides, wind and rain spawned by an atmospheric river only weeks ago.
While the rainfall was focused on Southern California, thunderstorms and strong winds were reported across wide swaths of the state, and mountain snow fell in the north. Some flood watches and warnings were expected to remain in effect into Wednesday.
Heavy downpours flooded streets and sidewalks in San Francisco, and mudslides closed roads to the north and south of the city. The heaviest rain came through the Los Angeles area Tuesday, with an additional 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) on top of the 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12.7 centimeters) that fell in recent days, said Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in Maryland.
“It’s heavy but not quite as heavy as previously,” he said. “But it’s been a wet month across southern California. The ground is saturated, so any additional rain can bring the chance of flash flooding.”
The LA area has received around 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain so far this month, with parts of the coastline and mountain areas farther north receiving more than 1 foot (30.5 centimeters) of precipitation, Oravec said.
The upside, he said, is there’s some light at the end of the tunnel: The region isn’t expected to see more rain at least until the following weekend.
Jim Callahan, who owns a hardware store in Los Angeles, said last year’s rains were perhaps more trying for residents because they weren’t as prepared for the challenges as they were this year.
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