See how California was impacted by deadly atmospheric river as it braces for new one
After last week's atmospheric river storm rivers are still rising and residents are returning to homes they had to evacuate to see what they could salvage. Now they have to prepare for another round of intense rain and snow.
Atmospheric river batters California with heavy rain, flooding
FOX Weather correspondent Max Gorden is in Pajaro, California, where relentless rain from an atmospheric river storm has led to flooding across the region.
At least two people are dead from the strong atmospheric river that blasted California with torrential downpours, snow and hazardous weather last week. And another atmospheric river is on the way.
A large part of the state is still under a Flash Flood Watch with another atmospheric river on the way. At least 34 counties are still under a State of Emergency.
The heaviest rain so far fell Thursday and Friday across the state. But periods of rain, snow and thunderstorms continued through the weekend.
An EF-1 tornado briefly touched down in Tuolumne County on Saturday. Merced, California in the Central Valley was even under a rare Tornado Warning on Sunday from a pop-up storm.
Several Evacuation Orders were downgraded to Evacuation Warnings along rivers that continue to rise. But, authorities warn residents to be prepared to leave again with the new rain threat.
Rain on saturated ground forced the California Department of Transportation to close roads to clear pounding and landslides.
Flood Advisories in place
Flood Watches and Warnings are in place across most of the state.
A Flash Flood Warning was issued Saturday for Pajaro, in Monterey County, along the Pajaro River after heavy rainfall caused a levee to breech, flooding the community and forced evacuations. The National Guard and first responders helped people evacuate, and some even had to wade through floodwaters to get out.
FOX Weather's Max Gorden took us to the flooded town and talked to devastated residents facing another round
Atmospheric river inundates California and here comes another
Rivers continue to rise and first responders are working around the clock to rescue residents from rising floodwaters before the next round of atmospheric river storm makes landfall.
"A lot of people are going to go home to nothing now," flood victim Charles Williams said. "I might lose everything. I’m losing everything. I had to walk out through 4 feet of water!"
Several other coastal communities are under evacuation warnings which means that residents need to be prepared to leave in case of an evacuation order with flooding from the next storm.
WHY RARE ‘HIGH RISK’ FLOOD DAYS NEED TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY
![Mudslide in Santa Cruz, California]()
Image 1 of 14Mudslide on State Route 152 in Santa Cruz, Calif. on March 10, 2023. (CalTrans)
![Car crushed by falling tree in California 3/10/2023]()
Image 2 of 14A car is crumpled after it was crushed by a falling tree in Redwood City, California, on March 9, 2023. (CALFIRE / Twitter)
![Water Rescue during California flooding]()
Image 3 of 14Fire crews conduct a water rescue in Paso Robles, Calif. during atmospheric river. (CALFIRE / Twitter)
![Santa Cruz Flash Flooding]()
Image 4 of 14Flooding along Bates Creek in Soquel, Calif. on March 10, 2023. (Santa Cruz County / Twitter)
![California Flooding]()
Image 5 of 14The area near Chimney Rock washes out in Paso Roble, Calif. (San Luis Obispo Public Works / Twitter)
![California Flooding]()
Image 6 of 14Flash floods cover Highway 395 in Inyo County, California on March 10, 2023 (CalTrans)
![California Flooding]()
Image 7 of 14Flash floods cover Highway 395 in Inyo County, California on March 10, 2023 (National Weather Service, Las Vegas)
![California Flooding]()
Image 8 of 14Flash floods cover Highway 395 in Inyo County, California on March 10, 2023 (National Weather Service, Las Vegas)
![Mudslide in Santa Cruz County]()
Image 9 of 14Crews clean up a mudslide in Santa Cruz County, Calif. on March 10, 2023. (California Highway Patrol )
![Tree falls on Power Lines]()
Image 10 of 14A tree topples across power lines in Santa Cruz County. (Santa Cruz County)
![Flash Flood Emergency in Springville, CA]()
Image 11 of 14A road sits washed out during a Flash Flood Emergency in Springville, Calif. on March 10, 2023. (Twitter / @robby_gillett )
![Santa Cruz Slide]()
Image 12 of 14SR-129 between Murphy Crossing to US 101 was blocked on March 10, 2023 due to slides amid an atmospheric river. (California Highway Patrol)
![A car is crumpled after it was crushed by a falling tree in Redwood City, California, on March 9, 2023.]()
Image 13 of 14A car is crumpled after it was crushed by a falling tree in Redwood City, California, on March 9, 2023. (San Mateo County Sheriff's Office/Twitter)
![Rushing water races over a road in Springville, California, on March 10, 2023.]()
Image 14 of 14Rushing water races over a road in Springville, California, on March 10, 2023. (Robby Gillett/Twitter)
Drone video captured a river flooding homes in Tulare County, which led to evacuations. Live Storms Media storm tracker Brandon Clement filmed dozens of homes being inundated by floodwaters, which even ripped one home off its foundation.
Drone video captures California river flooding homes during atmospheric river
Warm, torrential rains caused significant snowmelt in Springville, California. (Credit: Brandon Clement / LSM)
Authorities issued evacuation orders for parts of Kern County, California, on Friday due to flash flooding. This included Bakersfield in the Central Valley area of the state.
Listen to the power of this flooding in footage filmed by Matt Volpert as raging floodwaters envelope buildings in Kernville.
RIDICULOUS PHOTOS SHOW AFTERMATH OF 12 FEET OF SNOW IN CALIFORNIA'S SIERRA NEVADA
Evacuation orders in place as Kern River overflows in California
Evacuation orders were in place for parts of Kern County, California, as flash flooding was warned for the region on March 10, 2023.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park posted video Friday showing flooded fields lapping up against roads in Three Rivers, California. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office also issued evacuation orders for Three Rivers, urging locals to avoid traveling through flooded roadways.
Flooding in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in California
Floodwaters captured near roadways several miles outside of Sequoia National Park. (Credit:@SequoiaKingsNPS/ Twitter)
Snow, snow and more snow
The National Weather Service said several of Sierra Nevada's highest passes, including Carson, Sonora and Tioga, could see over 100 inches of new snow by the end of the weekend.
‘QUITE CATASTROPHIC’: CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN RESIDENTS PLEAD FOR MORE HELP AS FEET OF SNOW REMAIN
San Bernardino County deputy climbs out window to go to work
A reserve deputy in San Bernardino County had to climb out his window to go to work, after severe snowstorms at the beginning of March caused locals to be trapped inside their homes for days.
In the video above, a reserve deputy with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office had to climb out his window to go to work due to snow totals.
More than 8 feet of snow in parts of the San Bernardino Mountains stranded many residents for days as crews worked to clear the snow from roads and driveways.
The next supercharged storm moves in on Monday with the heaviest rain and snow in the evening into Tuesday.
CALIFORNIA TO BE SLAMMED BY ANOTHER ATMOSPHERIC RIVER EVENT WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN, FLOODING
Details will continue to be refined over the coming days. Stay with FOX Weather for the latest.