With the onslaught of heavy storms across California, Gov. Gavin Newsom took decisive action Wednesday, proclaiming a state of emergency for several counties grappling with the severe weather. The affected areas, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Shasta counties, are confronting increased risks of flooding and landslides amid the enduring rain and powerful winds. This was reported by FOX 5 San Diego following the governor’s announcement.
Before the proclamation was declared, areas outside the initial order, such as Menlo Park in San Mateo County, began experiencing flooding just hours ahead of the announcement. The emergency declaration aims to unlock vital state resources to aid the beleaguered counties, just before atmospheric rivers made their punishing approach, as described by KTVU.
San Diego County was under a flood watch and wind advisory on Christmas Eve, as winds were expected to surge to 45 mph, according to information from the National Weather Service, detailed by FOX 5 San Diego. The looming threat continues on Christmas Day, with predictions of strong winds, rain, and a marginal chance of thunderstorms and tornadoes in parts of the Bay Area and Central Coast. Southern California’s recent burn scars, from fires such as the Airport, Bridge, Line, Palisades, and Eaton, face heightened risks of mudslides due to the ongoing deluge.
"California is acting early and decisively to do all we can to get ahead of dangerous winter storms," Newsom conveyed in a statement obtained by KTVU. The state, moving quickly to fortify its emergency response, pre-deployed resources, including 55 fire engines, swiftwater rescue teams, and a complement of helicopters, to name a few. Gov. Newsom has stated that this aggressive positioning of assets and the activation of emergency authorities is executed in coordination with local partners, all intended to keep Californians safe and preserve their communities.
