Photos: Deadly storm slams California with flooding rainfall, damaging winds
By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist
February 05, 2019, 2:26:56 AM EST
Share this article:
The strongest Pacific storm of this winter season slammed California with heavy rain, significant snowfall, high winds and travel disruptions this past weekend.
A member of the Ventura County search-and-rescue team was killed and nine other people were injured in a car crash on Saturday morning amid heavy rain near Pyramid Lake.
The team was at the scene of another vehicle crash on Interstate 5 when a minivan lost control on the wet roadway and plowed into members of the team, according to the Associated Press (AP).
“This is a very unfortunate situation that could’ve been avoided,” Los Angeles County fire Capt. Tony Imbrenda said, warning motorists to slow down in the rain.
First, at vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui voluptatum.
(Twitter/EliasonMike)
A Caltrans worker stands in the northbound US 101 in Montecito Saturday where the nearby Romero Creek has overflowed and flooded the Highway.
Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire via AP
In this Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, photo released by Santa Barbara County Fire, heavy equipment works to clear U.S. 101 following heavy rains which produced runoff from Romero and San Ysidro Creeks in the Montecito area of Santa Barbara County, Calif.
(Twitter/EliasonMike)
A California Highway Patrol Officer walks in the northbound US 101 in Montecito Saturday where the nearby San Ysidro Creek has overflowed and flooded the Highway.
(Twitter/EliasonMike)
A large stone pine tree believed to be 100 years old came down into this Santa Barbara home during Saturday’s powerful winter storm. The resident was not injured. Firefighters have been responding to multiple trees that have come down throughout the county.
AP Photo/John Antczak
Water races down the swollen Los Angeles River near downtown Los Angeles, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, as a powerful storm drenches California.
(Twitter/EliasonMike)
San Pedro Creek flowing under Hollister Ave near Fairview Ave in Goleta during Saturday’s rain. Creeks have risen with this storm.
(Twitter/EliasonMike)
Firefighters survey the scene of a large eucalyptus tree that fell into a two-story apt. complex on Bolton Walk in Goleta Saturday morning. Multiple trees have toppled and wires have come down throughout the county as a result of this latest storm.
(Twitter/EliasonMike)
Firefighters survey the scene of a large eucalyptus tree that fell into a two-story apt. complex on Bolton Walk in Goleta Saturday morning. Multiple trees have toppled and wires have come down throughout the county as a result of this latest storm.
AP Photo/Richard Vogel
Vehicles make their way through flooded streets of Panorama City section of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019.
(Twitter/NWSLosAngeles via Ventura County)
Very heavy flow over the Matilija Dam.
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
An overturned vehicle is seen at a scene of a fatal accident, where a volunteer member of the Ventura County search and rescue team was killed, along Interstate Highway 5 south of Pyramid Lake, Calif. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019.
(Twitter/bagbeti)
Mudflow and flooding on Brakey Road on Poli Street in Ventura, California.
(Twitter/archangelcrew)
Gusty winds blowing a palm tree in Bakersfield, California.
Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire via AP
In this Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, photo released by Santa Barbara County Fire, Santa Barbara County Fire heavy equipment works to clear N. Jameson Lane, following heavy rains which produced runoff from Romero and San Ysidro Creeks in the Montecito area of Santa Barbara County, Calif.
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Emergency personnel huddle around the body of volunteer member of the Ventura County search and rescue team, killed in a traffic accident, along interstate highway 5 south of Pyramid Lake, Calif. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019.
On Sunday afternoon, five people died when a small plane crashed into a home shortly after taking off of Fullerton Municipal Airport, according to the AP.
The airport reported heavy rain shortly after the plane took off.
A general 1-3 inches of rain poured down across the state, with localized amounts in excess of 5 inches.
The heavy rain caused excessive runoff, with debris flows reported downstream of the Holy and Woolsey fire burn scars.
Ahead of the storm, evacuations were ordered or recommended for communities at a high risk for debris flows and mudslides due to recent wildfires.
Stretches of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County and the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu were closed due to high water, mud and debris over the road.
Caltrans crews worked to clear the mud that was as high as 3 feet deep on some roads, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Santa Barbara City College canceled all Saturday classes due to the storm.
RELATED:
How dangerous is it for untrained bystanders to perform water rescues?
How wildfires leave communities vulnerable to flooding, mudslides for years
Mudflows and mudslides: Will your insurance cover home damage caused by these natural disasters?
Grapevine snow to hit Southern California commuters into Tuesday night
Ventura County officials and the National Weather Service told residents to stay away from the Matilija Dam area due to very heavy flow. Nearly 5 inches of rain was reported in the area.
A tornado warning was in effect for portions of Butte, Colusa and Glenn counties on Saturday afternoon. While no tornadoes were confirmed, there were reports of funnel clouds.
Gusty winds accompanied the storm, knocking down trees and power lines and leaving over 33,000 customers without power.
On Catalina Island, a 67 mph wind gust was recorded early Saturday morning.
Feet of snow buried the higher terrain, with difficult travel reported over I-80’s Donner Pass.
Additional rain and mountain snow through Tuesday will threaten to delay cleanup efforts, trigger more travel disruptions and create new or worsening flooding problems.
Handful of law enforcement reports of fallen branches/trees around the Monterey Peninsula this morning. Peak winds at the Monterey Airport were recorded at 45 mph earlier in the morning. #CAwx
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) February 2, 2019
Increased water flow & debris in #TrabucoCanyon now, downstream of #HolyFire burn area. Coming up on road @ocregister @OCSheriff @OCFA_PIO @KNX1070 @CBSLA @NBCLA @KTLA @ABC7 @FOXLA @KFIAM640 @KPCC pic.twitter.com/wxqFaSXzJi
— OC Public Works (@OCpublicworks) February 2, 2019
Heavy Rains Force closure of Kanan Rd, Mulholland Highway and occasional shutdown of Las Virgenes and PCH. Rainfall in area, 1.8 inches in Malibu Hills, 2.6 in Woodland Hills, 4.8 inches above Ventura. Storm easing off. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/Zp7ATa3NW6
— Pete Demetriou (@knxpete) February 2, 2019
PCH just South of Yerba Buena at Ventura County Fire Station 56 - 10:30am pic.twitter.com/UQnUzIqvEP
— A. Martinez (@VCFDMartinez) February 2, 2019
#lasd Avoid PCH from Ventura County line to Kanan rd. Multiple closers due to rock slides and debris flow pic.twitter.com/wDnz5AotLT
— LA County Sheriff's (@LASDHQ) February 2, 2019
More Weather News
-
Springlike warmth to hold across UK on Sunday
Weather News - February 16, 2019, 11:15:28 AM EST
Sunday will feel more like April across the United Kingdom, but showers may put a damper on the mild spell in some western communities.
-
Chilly, unsettled weather to persist in western US into next week
Weather News - February 16, 2019, 6:22:24 AM EST
Below-normal temperatures will accompany bouts of rain and snow across the western United States through next week.
-
Deadly crash shuts down I-70 near Kansas City amid snowy conditions
Weather News - February 16, 2019, 2:08:22 AM EST
At least one person has died after a major pileup on Interstate 70 just east of Kansas City on Friday afternoon.
-
El Niño llega con condiciones húmedas para los próximos meses
Weather News - February 15, 2019, 4:06:11 PM EST
Los meteorólogos esperan que este sea un patrón débil y poco significativo
-
In case you missed it: Record snow blankets Seattle; Search for survivors continues after deadly Kashmir avalanche
Weather News - February 15, 2019, 3:08:10 PM EST
Snow slammed both the East and West coasts of the U.S. this week while a deadly storm blasted Hawaii and an avalanche cut off an entire region from the outside world, slowing rescue efforts.
-
Guam, Northern Mariana Islands put on alert for western Pacific tropical threat
Weather News - February 16, 2019, 10:22:48 AM EST
The tropics in the western Pacific Ocean may activate next week with potential impacts on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands around the weekend of Feb. 23-24.
-
Remote Russian town declares state of emergency after invasion of dozens of polar bears
Weather News - February 16, 2019, 6:11:12 AM EST
Experts explain why polar bears are invading a Russian town, and whether they are there to stay.
-
More disruptive storms with snow, ice and rain eye Midwest and Northeast next week
Weather News - February 16, 2019, 10:01:41 AM EST
Two storms with snow, ice and rain will affect many areas from the Midwest to the northeastern United States through next week.
TRENDING NOW
In case you missed it: Record snow blankets Seattle; Search for survivors continues after deadly Kashmir avalanche
Snow slammed both the East and West coasts of the U.S. this week while a deadly storm blasted Hawaii and an avalanche cut off an entire region from the outside world, slowing rescue efforts.
Read Story
Remote Russian town declares state of emergency after invasion of dozens of polar bears
Experts explain why polar bears are invading a Russian town, and whether they are there to stay.
Read Story
Comments
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.