Meteorologists have warned that the western U.S. state of California will experience “catastrophic flooding” this weekend, especially in the Monterey Peninsula city of Salinas, which will be shut down “for two or three days.”
This new wave of storms adds to those already suffered in recent days which have already caused the death of at least 19 people and caused flooding, blackouts and landslides.
A new low pressure system hit the region today and threatens to isolate the Monterey Peninsula and flood the city of Salinas – population 160,000 – in the most populous state in the country.
“The entire lower Salinas Valley will experience catastrophic flooding,” the United States Weather Service (NWS) warned.
Based on this weather, Monterey County officials are warning that Salinas residents should prepare to “go into isolation for two to three days” before a possible roadblock.
Meteorologists have warned that two storm surges are on the way this weekend and will spread northward, forming a swath from northern California to Oregon and Washington states, according to AFP news agency.
“The most impactful precipitation will remain concentrated on the northern California and Pacific Northwest coasts through tonight, before expanding south on Saturday and east on Sunday,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said in a statement to the press.
“Northern California has been hit by heavy rains for the past two weeks and any additional rain could pose a threat of flash flooding,” he added.
The warnings come as the region tries to recover from more severe storms that have killed 19 people.
Heavy rain is expected in and around Seattle for the next few hours, while parts of Washington state will be under avalanche warning as the storm brings wetter, heavier snow to the mountains.
The Northwest Avalanche Center said it expects “dangerous and large-scale” avalanches.
These include “wet snow avalanches,” which occur when wetter snow piles up on top of a light snow cover, making the whole package unstable.
Scientists say climate change, fueled by human burning of fossil fuels, is making these events more ferocious.
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.