CORTE MADERA, Calif. (AP) - California's highways are being cleared of mud as severe thunderstorms make a return following record rainfall and king tides that resulted in significant flooding and road closures. Emergency crews have conducted rescues of individuals stranded in vehicles across several northern counties.
The National Weather Service has warned that up to three inches (7.6 cm) of rain could fall through Monday night, especially in areas already soaked since Christmas. Additionally, mountain regions are expected to receive at least a foot of snow.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, floodwaters are receding slowly after heavy rains caused extensive flooding along major routes. Residents have been spotted kayaking in flooded streets and wading through knee-deep water while emergency services respond to stranded vehicles.
I've never seen it this high before, commented Jeremy Hager, a resident from San Rafael. Flooding has heavily impacted counties including Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, San Mateo, and San Francisco. As flooding risks remain, authorities urge cautious driving.
In Santa Barbara County, highways are reopening following mudslides that blocked roads for most of the weekend. Tragically, a man lost his life after being swept into a creek during the storms, underscoring the dangers present in a weather system that has brought the wettest holiday season in years.
After months of drought, California's winter storms are a stark reminder of the volatility of weather patterns in the region.
