A thunderstorm that hit California over the weekend resulted in flooding and mandatory evacuations. There were also reports of landslides, sink-holes, power outages and injuries as a result of lightning strikes.
The heaviest of the rainfall fell on Saturday 1 March 2014, and provided some relief for the state’s farmers who have been struggling with drought conditions for the last few months. San Francisco saw 8 inches of rain and Los Angeles 4.34 inches by Saturday evening. However, there is still some way to go before California’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs are fully replenished.
Evacuations and Flood Damage
Around 1,200 families had to be evacuated fomr their homes in Monrovia, Azusa and Glendora as as a result of flooding threats from runoff flowing from the San Gabriel Mountains.
Sand bag protection outside a Ridge View Dr home in #Azusa where mandatory evacuations take effect at noon. @knx1070 pic.twitter.com/kZNQkJxb68
— Margaret Carrero (@MargaretCarrero) February 27, 2014
A mudslide meant that 13 homes in the Lake Hughes area in northern Los Angeles County had to be evacuated on Friday 29 February 2014.
Nick of time Lake Hughes Rd # Powerhouse Fire Recovery Work rip rap for road protection pic.twitter.com/dKUaLPW1NG
— LA Co Public Works (@LACoGoModal) March 2, 2014
Two people and their two dogs were found stranded in a tree trying to escape the rising water of the Los Angeles River.
Four hikers were rescued overnight after they became trapped by rising floodwaters in Malibu Creek State Park, sheriff’s officials said Sunday.
Some ocean front homes were damaged by strong surf in the Long Beach area and strong waves also caused problems in Goleta.
A sink hole appeared in a cliff along a stretch of the ocean front drive in Santa Cruz.
Giant sinkhole that appeared at westcliff and Woodrow yesterday…. #SantaCruz, we're washing away pic.twitter.com/kj4lz3DyGF
— Larissa Shapiro (@larissashapiro) March 2, 2014
W Cliff Road in Santa Cruz is down to one lane after storm surf causes a 10×10 sink hole #BayAreaRain pic.twitter.com/9FIWUKIfd6
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) March 2, 2014
Storm Moving Eastwards
By Sunday evening the storm was moving eastwards, with the possibility of bringing some much needed rain to parts of Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. Phoenix hasn’t seen rain for the last 70 days, and Las Vegas the last 85 days. Sadly many Phoenix residents could now face cleaning up water damage in their homes.
Source: Reuters; CBS; Seattle Pi
