In an extraordinary display of nature’s force, California has been engulfed by a Pineapple Express storm, marking the second such event in a matter of days to wreak havoc across the state. This atmospheric river, a phenomenon characterized by its dense moisture originating near Hawaii, has stalled over Southern California, particularly drenching the Los Angeles area with relentless torrential rain. The storm’s ferocity, accompanied by near-hurricane-force wind gusts, has escalated the threat of flash floods and landslides, putting the safety and well-being of millions at risk.
As of Monday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued advisories for floods, winter storms, and high winds, affecting some 40 million residents throughout California. This weather system’s vast and dense airborne current of moisture carried aloft from the Pacific, has resulted in heavy precipitation on land, challenging the state’s preparedness and response mechanisms.
In anticipation of the storm’s impact, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Sunday in eight counties, home to over 20 million people. This preemptive measure followed the initial atmospheric river storm that began its onslaught on Friday, delivering a deluge of rain across the coast. The situation in parts of southern California, including the Los Angeles area, was particularly dire, with forecasts predicting as much as 8 inches (20 cm) of rain on Monday alone, following a weekend of significant rainfall.
The pivot and slow progression of the system into California’s interior have centered the flash flooding threat on Southern California. Despite the absence of reports of severe damage or casualties, the storm has already left its mark. Overnight, a debris field damaged at least three homes in Encino, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, though, fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Authorities have not taken the storm’s potential lightly, warning residents of extremely dangerous conditions, especially in areas like the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Mountains. The NWS in Los Angeles underscored the severity of the situation with a stark warning on social media, advising against travel and highlighting the expected life-threatening landslides and additional flash flooding.
Further east, in San Bernardino County, a flash flood warning was issued early on Monday for more than 2 million people. The morning commute was expected to be particularly challenging, with forecasts predicting as much as 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) of rain. The storm’s wind gusts, reaching speeds of 60 miles (96 km) an hour, have contributed to widespread power outages, affecting approximately 530,000 homes and businesses across the state, with up to 900,000 customers experiencing power disruptions over the weekend.
The rainfall in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday was historic, with 4 inches (10 cm) recorded, marking the most significant single-day rainfall in 20 years, according to a CNN meteorologist. The NWS has warned that additional rainfall will only worsen the already saturated conditions, continuing the threat of life-threatening catastrophic flash, urban, and small-stream flooding.
In Santa Barbara, approximately 95 miles (153 km) up the Pacific coast from downtown Los Angeles, the normally tranquil Mission Creek was on the brink of overflowing after the region received 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 cm) of rainfall during the weekend. Tragically, the storm’s impact has already been felt beyond the risk of flooding. In Yuba City, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Sacramento, a man was killed when a large redwood tree fell on him, a grim reminder of the storm’s destructive potential, even if his death was not directly attributed to the weather.
As California grapples with the ongoing challenges posed by this atmospheric river, the resilience of its communities and the effectiveness of emergency response efforts are being tested. The state, accustomed to dealing with natural disasters, faces yet another reminder of the unpredictable and often devastating power of nature.