Dramatic time-lapse videos show floodwaters turn roads into rivers from atmospheric river slamming California

03:45

These storms are deadly: Atmospheric rivers pounding California day after day

Brian Ferguson, Deputy Director of Crisis Communications for California’s Office of Emergency Services, says rescues are ongoing along the coastline and evacuations develop as storms continue pummeling The Golden State. Ferguson notes California has seen more fatalities from these rain events than the last two wildfire seasons combined. 

SAN LORENZO, Calif. – Another powerful atmospheric river storm is hammering California with life-threatening flash flooding on Monday, and dramatic videos from the Golden State are showing the fury of the rising floodwaters.

Areas, such as San Francisco and Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara Counties, are once again being walloped as more heavy rain falls onto an already-drenched region of Northern and Central California.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

San Francisco area

The video below shows the San Lorenzo River, which flows between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, rising as a log jam is blocking the water flow. Officials closed one of the lanes on Monday, so they may try to remove the log jam.

00:16

Flash flooding causes San Lorenzo river to rise in California

Just south of San Francisco, the San Lorenzo River continued to rise on Monday, as excessive rainfall poured in northern and central California. (Courtesy: @CHPscrz / Twitter)

Earlier Monday morning, this time-lapse video captured the waters of the San Lorenzo River rapidly rising before the sun rose.

Time-lapse video shows rapid rise of San Lorenzo River

Time-lapse video shows the rapid rise of the San Lorenzo River.

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER HAMMERS CALIFORNIA WITH LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING AS RESIDENTS TOLD TO EVACUATE

Santa Cruz County

Roads in the town of Felton – located north of Santa Cruz – turned into rivers and had to be closed due to high water levels.

Hwy 9 closed at Highlands Park, as San Lorenzo River at Henry Cowell in Felton is rising. 

(@CALFIRECZU / Twitter / FOX Weather)

A bridge just east of the city of Santa Cruz fell into the rushing creek below, completely breaking off of the roadway and forcing nearby residents to find an alternate route.

00:34

Bridge collapses into rushing water in Santa Cruz County

The Browns Valley Road Bridge, which lies just north of the city of Santa Cruz, fell into the water as an atmospheric river storm dropped more rain onto northern and central California.

HOW FLOODWATER CAN MAKE YOU VERY SICK

Parts of the city of Santa Cruz were brought to a halt as floodwaters inundated an intersection at Mt. Hermon Road and Graham Road, making the roadway impassable.

00:34

Atmospheric river floods streets in Santa Cruz

The intersection at Mt. Hermon Rd. and Graham Rd. in Santa Cruz, California, was impassable due to flooding on Monday morning. (Courtesy: @CHPscrz / Twitter)

The community of Felton Grove in Santa Cruz County saw their streets disappear under feet of floodwater. 

00:34

California floods turn streets into rivers in Santa Cruz County

Floodwater as high as a stop sign inundates the community of Felton Grove, due to an atmospheric river is causing a deluge of heavy rain in northern and central California. (Courtesy: Brooks Jarosz / KTVU)

HERE'S WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CAR IS FLOODED

The flash flooding has also led to mudslides pushing dirt, trees and debris onto roads. One mudslide led to an area on state Route 9 and Holiday Lane, located close to the San Lorenzo River, to be shut down.

A mudslide near the San Lorenzo River north of Santa Cruz, California, on January 9, 2023. It led to a road closure at SR-9 and Holiday Lane.

(@CHPscrz / Twitter / FOX Weather)

These mudslides are leading to messy commutes, according to CalTrans District 3 public information officers Gilbert Mohtes-Chan. 

03:26

Central California road concerns 'widespread' amid atmospheric river

Caltrans District 3 Public Information Officer Gilbert Mohtes-Chan says road conditions are being closely monitored with flooding indicated in valley areas and snow being reported in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Threats of mudslides have also led to officials issuing evacuation orders and evacuation warnings in parts of Santa Cruz. 

Santa Barbara County

Further south, mandatory evacuations were issued in parts of Santa Barbara County as heavy rain doused the area.

CALIFORNIA FLASH FLOODING FORCES MONTECITO, OTHER CELEBRITY COMMUNITIES TO EVACUATE.

00:34

California flash flooding turns creek into rushing river

Montecito Creek in Santa Barbara County filled with floodwater, as the region experience heavy rain caused by an atmospheric river. (Courtesy: Josiah Hamilton/Twitter)

A creek in the city of Santa Barbara turned into a rushing river, due to flash flooding on Monday.

00:22

Flooding impacts Santa Barbara, California

Creek flooding takes place in Santa Barbara, California during an atmospheric river event. (Credit: @RossBarbour/Twitter)

Mission Creek at Pueblo St. was rushing, as well.

00:30

Floodwaters rush through Mission Creek in California

Floodwaters rush through Mission Creek in Santa Barbara, California on Monday. (Credit: @keithrbutler/Twitter)

Floodwater also filled some streets in Santa Barbara, as seen in the video below where a gentleman was rescued from the floodwater.

00:34

California man rescues, carries individual across flooded streets

The streets of Santa Barbara flooded and turned into fast-moving rivers on Monday. (Courtesy: @onsantabarbara / Twitter)

At the same the intersection of Bath St. and Cota St., a dumper was seen floating on by.

00:34

Dumpster spotted floating down flooded street in California

A white dumpster sailed through the intersection of Bath St. and Cota St. in Santa Barbara. The area and other parts of northern and central California were flooded by torrential rains. (Courtesy: @onsantabarbara / Twitter)