A major storm hit Northern California on Wednesday night, bringing heavy rain and snow that posed threats of flash flooding and rockslides. The National Weather Service extended a flood watch for areas north of San Francisco until Saturday due to the strongest atmospheric river of the season inundating the region. The storm system caused two fatalities and left hundreds of thousands without power in Washington state.
Forecasters predicted up to 16 inches of rain in Northern California and southwestern Oregon by Friday. Some areas, like Santa Rosa, already experienced around 5 inches of rain within 24 hours. Officials warned of potential flash flooding, rockslides, and debris flows, with several small landslides reported in northern California.
The National Weather Service cautioned residents in the North Bay to expect heavy rain continuing into the weekend, leading to mudslides and road closures. The storm, classified as a 'bomb cyclone,' intensified rapidly after hitting on Tuesday.
A winter storm watch was issued for the northern Sierra Nevada, with up to 15 inches of snow and wind gusts exceeding 75 mph expected. The storm had already blanketed the Cascades with over a foot of snow, causing blizzard conditions and travel disruptions.
In Washington, nearly 376,000 power outages were reported, with two fatalities due to falling trees. Schools in the Seattle area closed, and some extended closures into Thursday. California also faced power outages, with reports of nearly 21,000 affected.
Extreme winter weather conditions in northern California led to the closure of a stretch of Interstate 5 from Ashland, Oregon, to the California border. San Francisco International Airport experienced flight delays and cancellations. The weather service issued a flood watch for parts of southwestern Oregon, while rough winds and seas disrupted a ferry route in northwestern Washington.
