USA – California Storm Triggers Mudslides, Prompts Evacuation Orders in Burn Areas

A powerful storm brought heavy rain, snow and strong winds to parts of California on 27 January 2021. This is the third storm to affect the area in recent days.

Wind damage caused power outages for tens of thousands of homes. Heavy snow caused problems in northern parts of the state and the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Heavy rain in burn areas of Monterey County caused mudslides and debris flows, injuring one person and damaging around 20 to 25 buildings, according to Monterey County Regional Fire Protection District. An evacuation order was issued for properties located in or near the River Fire, Carmel Fire and Dolan Fire burn areas in the county.

NWS Bay Area said Monterey recorded 2.87 inches (73mm) of rain in 24 hours.  This is more rain in one day than Monterey has seen the whole season. “Since Oct 1st we have only seen 2.14 inches before today,” NWS Bay Area added.

Evacuation orders are also in place for residents in burn areas of San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties.

Heavy rainfall was also reported further south, in particular in Santa Barbara county and San Luis Obispo county, where 10.6 inches (258mm) of rain fell in 48 hours to late 27 January in the Las Tablas area. Evacuation warnings were issued for residents in burn scar areas of San Bernardino and LA Counties.

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