Atmospheric River Storm Batters California, Triggering Flash Floods and EvacuationsA powerful atmospheric river storm hit California on Christmas Eve, causing flash floods and forcing hundreds to evacuate. The storm, which brought torrential rains, sent mud and debris rushing down mountain roads and even poured through porches in resort areas. The National Weather Service warned of life-threatening conditions, with a rare high risk of excessive rainfall still in place. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties. The storm, which is part of a trend of growing, wetter, and more frequent atmospheric rivers due to Earth warming, brought ten to twenty centimeters of rain to areas that usually see just two point five centimeters this time of year. Meanwhile, heavy snow and gusts created near white-out conditions in the Sierra Nevada, with high avalanche risks around Lake Tahoe. Power was restored to over one hundred sixty-five thousand homes. As California braces for more, the state’s history of wild weather swings from drought to deluge keeps everyone on high alert.

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