Since last Thursday, these natural disasters have left tens of thousands of homes without power, and risk flash flooding and landslides. Photo: Washington Post
Powerful winter storms are returning in Northern California, causing widespread flooding in Santa Cruz County and beyond as rivers across the region began to rise. Since last Thursday, these natural disasters have left tens of thousands of homes without power and are threatening flash flooding and landslides across much of this state on the west coast of the United States.
Relentless extreme weather has produced tidal waves that have wreaked havoc on coastal communities, high winds that have downed trees and left thousands without power, and heavy rains that have helped flood rivers and streams. Officials say more rain is on the way.
“This is only half of what was already a very wet and active pattern — and is really expected to continue for at least another week,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA.
The main flooding occurred in the mountains north of Santa Cruz, where the water reached chest height in Felton and other places. The San Lorenzo River, which flows downstream into Santa Cruz from the Santa Cruz Mountains, reached significant high water levels, rising 8 feet above high water level.
The water also inundated the streets of the Watsonville area surrounded by the Pájaro River and the Corralitos and Salsipuedes creeks.
Near Gilroy, Uvas Reservoir had to divert some of its waters downstream, flooding Highway 101 south of Gilroy and submerging at least one home almost to the first floor in an agricultural area. Both sides of the 101 had to close for hours.
With roads flooded, rescue teams rushed from the Santa Cruz Mountains to reach neighborhoods where residents reported being trapped in their homes and cars. The teams launched a jet ski to cross the water.
The amount of rain recorded in some spots was remarkable, with more than 10 inches in just 24 hours at the Bonny Doon Fire Station in the Santa Cruz Mountains. However, other areas were somewhat spared, including San Jose, which appeared to avoid major flooding like in 2017, when a surprise flood along Coyote Creek forced more than 14,000 residents from their homes.
Along the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County, rescuers called off their search for a 5-year-old boy who was washed away by floodwaters when conditions became unsafe for divers to continue the search, according to the sheriff’s office. The boy was swept away as he and his mother tried to cross a flooded street.
Elsewhere in San Luis Obispo County, a motorist died after driving into a flooded portion of Avila Beach Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Coastal Division.
Evacuations were underway early Monday and extensive flooding was reported in Felton Grove and Paradise Park after the St. Lawrence River burst its banks and spilled into the surrounding community. Videos posted to social media showed muddy water covering cars and running towards stop signs in Felton Grove as the St. Lawrence River inundated its banks with logs and other debris.
Colin Eppard, 32, of Watsonville, passed the St. Lawrence River on his way to work Monday morning and watched the river plunge into the ocean where it created a large wave.
“I had never seen San Lorenzo as powerful as it is now,” he said.
Eppard, an experienced surfer, said waves that only come after “huge” storms like this one have started to break in certain spots along the coast.
Bad weather forced Shane Terry, 33, of Felton to take the day off Monday. He began his morning commute to San Francisco, where he works as a grocer, but turned back when he encountered roads covered by three feet of water.