Just days after deadly flooding rocked Redding, California, the state is bracing for another round of rain, forcing evacuations through Christmas Day.
Californians are prepared for a new bout of rain that will cover virtually the entire state, with officials issuing evacuation orders in flood-prone areas that will last until Christmas Day.
New storm prompts evacuations, flooding fears
Los Angeles County officials are preparing for the impending storm by issuing evacuation orders near the burn scars from January’s fires.
“The City of Los Angeles is issuing an evacuation warning for possible debris flows, which will be in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday to 11 p.m. Thursday,” the Los Angeles Fire Department stated on its website. This includes the places where the Hurst and Sunset Fires happened.
Residents under evacuation orders must now find a location to spend the holidays, as the orders remain in effect through Christmas Day and into Christmas night.
Flooding, debris flows, and mudslides are more likely near wildfire burn scars, and residents should be prepared to respond quickly if additional evacuation orders or flash flood alerts are issued.
Death Valley National Park authorities have just finished removing roadways of dirt, rock, and debris caused by recent flooding. Officials have already warned that flooding from the next storm may result in additional park closures.
Deadly flooding strikes Redding
Shasta County, which encompasses Redding, California, has declared a state of emergency following previous fatal flooding and in preparation for the next round of severe rain.
“The last event we just had left us with various damage, as well as vehicle and residential flooding, and it was a pretty significant event,” Shasta County Sheriff Michael Johnson told KRCR. “Although the structural damage has still yet to be fully assessed from that, we do have another storm moving in, a significant storm, where over the next four days we anticipate more flooding, more problems throughout the county.”
Flooding swamped homes and submerged roadways, with 5.34 inches of rain pouring in Redding between December 16 and December 22, with higher totals in neighboring hillsides and mountains.
A 74-year-old man died on Sunday after driving past police barricades and attempting to cross one of the flooded highways. Soon later, the vehicle became submerged and began to fill with water, prompting the man to call for rescue.
“Unfortunately, despite our best rescue efforts, a male adult was caught underwater after floodwaters overtook his vehicle,” Redding Police Chief Brian Barner said. “This is a reminder that floodwaters can be wildly unpredictable and have devastating impacts.”
Some showers may linger into the start of the weekend with largely dry conditions on Sunday helping people clean up after the storm.
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