Newsom calls for Californians to ‘be vigilant’ as more storms threaten to bring flooding, mudslides

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called on state residents to “be vigilant” as additional storms incoming throughout the weekend threaten to bring more flooding and mudslides to an area already hammered by rain.

Newsom said at a news conference People should be able to use their common sense on Friday, before the storms arrive.

“Just work through this weekend,” he said. “There’s a diversion up for a reason. [The California Department of Transportation’s] There is a reason. Law enforcement is saying what they’re saying for a reason.”

He said he knows people are “fatigued” from having to adjust, but they should maintain “just a little more” vigilance.

California has been hit with a string of storms, including flooding houses and levee breaches. Residents have also faced mudslides as well as hurricane-force winds. At least 19 people were killed in storm-related accidents during that period.

The National Weather Service (NWS), predicts that California will be hit with heavy rains at lower elevations, large amounts of snow in the mountain ranges, and strong winds this weekend.

The first system will move in inland through the day, and it will be closest to the coast Saturday morning. Localized flooding from small streams and urban flooding, and mudslides could be caused by up to three inches of rainfall in certain areas.

Moderate rainfall will continue Sunday. The NWS forecast predicts that a second system will arrive Monday morning.

Winter storm warnings are in place for Sierra Nevada Mountains at higher elevations. These mountains are expected to receive 3 to 6 inches of snow. Parts of California’s coast and Central Valley could get sustained wind speeds of more than 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts up to 50.

Nancy Ward, the director of the governor’s emergency services office, said at a press briefing that 6,000 people were ordered to evacuate, and 20,000 houses remain without power.

“People will become complacent, but the ground is saturated. It is extremely, extremely dangerous,” Ward said. “And that water can continue to rise well after the storms have passed.”

California has seen more than nine inches per day of rain in the past 18 days. According to NWS meteorologist David Lawrence, some areas have already reached their average annual rainfall total.

President Biden declared California declared an emergency Monday. Federal assistance was available to help support state and local efforts.

This report was contributed by The Associated Press.

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