Gigantic Rain In California Causes Debris Flows and Flash Floods

On Wednesday in California's Salinas Valley, more than two dozens of homes and buildings, were destroyed by a debris flow and flash flooding caused by a gigantic rain.  

Local officials were trying to warn the inhabitants in the Salinas riverbed of Paso Robles of the deep 20-25-foot rise in water levels. The heavy rain was produced by an atmospheric river. It caused a huge flood that knocked out power for thousands of people in the Bay Area. 

(Photo : Irina Iriser)

Now, there is a terrific threat of landslides and debris flows across the state. The state's record smashes the 2020 wildfire season.  These landslides are like compound disasters that happen as often as humans cause climate change. It strengthens wildfire and precipitation. 

KPIX had reported that the gigantic rain was what triggered the mudslide in the River Road area very close to the Salinas River and Highway 101 south of Salinas. KSBW also reported an estimation of 50 large animals stuck in the mud and needed to be rescued.

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41 Animals Sheltered By The SPCA

On Wednesday afternoon, The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Monterey County known as (SPCA) had confirmed to have taken in 9 dogs, 14 cats, 17 horses, and a donkey for shelter because people had to vacate the area and the animals had no place to stay. 

Due to the flooding and mudslides, the California highway patrol closed the River Road from Chualar River Road north to Parker Canyon Road. Some persons in the county needed assistance with sheltering the animals and they were instructed to call the organization with the provided number below: "(831) 373-2631 during day hours and (831) 264-5424 at night."

"Our local in-house model shows us  the  extensive storm totals in the Big Sur hills over 20 inches with a target amount over 31 inches" The Weather Service added. 

This means that they are tracking the Big Sur coastline which has the 'target' for the storm front that has been heightened by the moisture from an atmospheric river.

(Photo : Irina Iriser)

Weather and Seasons In California 

California has four main weather conditions: The wind, snow or the rain, the Sunlight, and the clouds. A lot of places in California have a Mediterranean-like climate with a sort of warm, dry summer and mild, wet winters. On the coastline or seashore of the state, the average daily high-temperature wavers around 70°F upwards,  but can occasionally spear to 80°F or more on hottest summer days; The freezing temperatures are rare, even in winter.

January seems to be the coldest month of the year in California with the mountains of the Sierra Nevada in the frigid 3°F (-16.1°C) to 15°F (-9.4°C) average range amid snowy alpine conditions.

In the year 2020, California had a heatwave. According to a morning forecast, the heatwave came from an area of high pressure that moved over into areas of Utah. It then returns to Nevada bringing very hot temperatures across Southern California. 

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