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.
