Flash Floods Wreak Havoc in Southern California with Mudslides and Power Outages
Southern California has recently been hit by a powerful storm system, resulting in widespread power outages, and triggering over 300 mudslides. The storm, characterized by heavy rain and snow, has left neighborhoods buried under debris and communities grappling with the aftermath.
The storm’s impact extended beyond California, with flash flooding threats reaching into parts of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. In Los Angeles alone, authorities reported at least 307 mudslides, highlighting the storm’s severity. Despite the worst of the downpours subsiding, the risk of further floods and mudslides remains, keeping roads cluttered with trees and debris.
The storm brought heavy snowfall, particularly affecting the Sierra Nevada and Southern California’s mountain ranges, creating “near impossible” travel conditions. The Storm also dumped nearly a foot of water in some areas, causing mudslides, evacuations, and rescues
Flash Flooding and Mudslides Impact Southern California: Actionable Insights on EigenPrism
Post-Event
Subscribers of ICEYE can use these real-time footprints on EigenPrism®, to quickly assess the impact of flooding
Flash Flood – USA California – Flood Inundation as of 2024-02-06
All EigenPrism® users can assess the post-event impact of the snow accumulation using the following event footprint:
72-hour observed snow accumulation as of 2024-02-07
Forecasts
All EigenPrism® users can assess the landslide forecasts using the following event footprint:
Landslide Potential as of 2024-02-06
All EigenPrism® users can assess the forecasts using the following report templates:
Flood
US Flood Forecast Report Template
The report template auto-updates with the latest available forecasts, which include:
- WPC 3-Day Excessive Rainfall Outlook from NWS
- US Flood Outlook from NWS
- North America 3-day Flood Potential from Adiabat
- North America 5-day Flood Potential from Adiabat
Winter Storm
US Winter Storm Forecast Report Template
The report template auto-updates with the latest available forecasts, which include:
- 72-hr Forecast Freezing Rain Accumulation,
- 72-hr Forecast Snow Accumulation,
- Potential Winter Storm Overall Impact, and
- Potential Winter Storm Flash Freeze Impact
Feb 2 | State of Emergency Declared in California Due to Excessive Rainfall Leading to Flash Flooding Risks
Southern California is seeing the strongest storm of the season, bringing chilling rain, swirling gray clouds, and blustery winds. The slow-moving atmospheric river will deliver near-record rainfall with life-threatening flash flooding and has already created a state of emergency in eight counties due to the storm’s ferocity. The severe weather event has led to a rare Level 4 of 4 risk of excessive rainfall, expanding to include Los Angeles alongside Santa Barbara and Oxnard in Southern California,
The storm is particularly focused on the Los Angeles area, where it could remain for an extended period, potentially dropping up to 8 inches of rain on the coast and valleys and up to 14 inches in the foothills and mountains. Snowfall of 2 to 5 feet will be at elevations above 7,000 feet. There are also chances of severe winds, thunderstorms, and even brief tornadoes.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Oxnard has highlighted the dramatic nature of this weather event, emphasizing its potential for historic impact. The weather service has issued numerous flood watches and storm advisories, including flash flood warnings in parts of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties. Forecasters are also warning of torrential rain in Orange County and the Inland Empire. Evacuation warnings and notices have been issued in several counties, with burn scars subject to increased risk of flooding and debris flows.
Southern California Faces Flash Flood Risks: Actionable Insights on EigenPrism
All EigenPrism® users can assess the post-event impact of the snow accumulation using the following event footprint:
72-hour observed snow accumulation as of 2024-02-05
All EigenPrism® users can assess the forecast using the following report templates:
Flood
US Flood Forecast Report Template
The report template auto-updates with the latest available forecasts, which include:
- WPC 3-Day Excessive Rainfall Outlook from NWS
- US Flood Outlook from NWS
- North America 3-day Flood Potential from Adiabat
- North America 5-day Flood Potential from Adiabat
Winter Storm
US Winter Storm Forecast Report Template
The report template auto-updates with the latest available forecasts, which include:
- 72-hr Forecast Freezing Rain Accumulation,
- 72-hr Forecast Snow Accumulation,
- Potential Winter Storm Overall Impact, and
- Potential Winter Storm Flash Freeze Impact
Feb 02 | Atmospheric Rivers Continue to Impact California with Flood Risks
California is preparing for a sequence of atmospheric river storms that will bring heavy snowfall to higher elevations and strong gusts of wind and heavy rain across a considerable part of the state. The first of these atmospheric river storms has already arrived. More than 20 million people are presently under flood warnings, with the possibility of flash flooding in major urban areas such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland.
The risk of flooding will extend to central and Southern California. Southern California has already seen rising floodwaters, prompting road closures and water rescues. Another atmospheric river, potentially strong, is set to affect the region, with a pattern of rainy conditions that will continue, driven by a more typical El Niño pattern.
Cooler air will also spread across the state, increasing snow accumulation at lower elevations in Northern California and the Sierra Nevada. This snow is crucial for California’s snowpack, which is significantly below average this year. Flooding concerns extend across California, with a Level 2 out of 4 risk of excessive rainfall for Southern California.
As the weekend approaches, a second, more potent atmospheric river storm is poised to hit Southern California, potentially becoming the season’s largest storm. Forecast models show a widespread and prolonged flood threat, especially for Southern California.
Atmospheric Rivers Continue to Impact California with Flood Risks: Actionable Insights on EigenPrism
All EigenPrism® users can assess the forecast using the following report template:
Flood
US Flood Forecast Report Template
The report template auto-updates with the latest available forecasts, which include:
- WPC 3-Day Excessive Rainfall Outlook from NWS
- US Flood Outlook from NWS
- North America 3-day Flood Potential from Adiabat
- North America 5-day Flood Potential from Adiabat
Winter Storm
US Winter Storm Forecast Report Template
The report template auto-updates with the latest available forecasts, which include:
- 72-hr Forecast Freezing Rain Accumulation,
- 72-hr Forecast Snow Accumulation,
- Potential Winter Storm Overall Impact, and
- Potential Winter Storm Flash Freeze Impact
Jan 31 | Atmospheric Rivers Fueled by El Niño Threatens California with Flooding
California is set to experience a windy and incredibly wet week due to a pair of atmospheric river-fueled storms, marking the first significant impact of El Niño on the state this winter. These soaking storms will elevate the flood threat across much of California into next week, with the wet pattern likely to continue well into February.
El Niño, a natural phenomenon in the tropical Pacific, influences global weather by altering the jet stream, directing storms straight at California. These storms can tap into a potent moisture supply from the tropics, known as an atmospheric river.
As cooler air spreads across the state, more snow will accumulate at lower elevations in Northern California and the Sierra Nevada. Flooding is a significant concern across California, with a Level 2 out of 4 risk of excessive rainfall in place for parts of Northern and Central California and for Southern California.
Showery weather will persist across much of California as moisture slowly moves out. However, a second, more potent atmospheric river storm is expected by the end of the week, potentially bringing a more widespread and prolonged flood threat, especially to Southern California. The second storm will tap into even more robust moisture, with the potential to stall over the region and unload several inches of rain.
Atmospheric Rivers Threaten California with Flooding: Actionable Insights on EigenPrism
All EigenPrism® users can assess the forecast using the following report template:
Flood
US Flood Forecast Report Template
The report template auto-updates with the latest available forecasts, which include:
- WPC 3-Day Excessive Rainfall Outlook from NWS
- US Flood Outlook from NWS
- North America 3-day Flood Potential from Adiabat
- North America 5-day Flood Potential from Adiabat
Winter Storm
US Winter Storm Forecast Report Template
The report template auto-updates with the latest available forecasts, which include:
- 72-hr Forecast Freezing Rain Accumulation,
- 72-hr Forecast Snow Accumulation,
- Potential Winter Storm Overall Impact, and
- Potential Winter Storm Flash Freeze Impact
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