Heavy rain from atmospheric river storms continues to threaten California and raise the risk of flooding in a state that has already been ravaged by snow this winter, and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is reaching out to the Biden administration for assistance.
“I request that you issue an Emergency Declaration for the State of California due to the continuous, ongoing series of winter storms, which are now forecasted to include an impending atmospheric river system,” Newsom wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden, adding that the storms are expected to continue through mid-March. “The sustained force and longevity of persistent heavy rains, high winds, freeze warnings and record snowfall have already strained local and State resources.”
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The Democratic governor asked for approval of emergency protective measures “limited to Direct Federal Assistance (DFA), under the Public Assistance program” for 34 of California’s 58 counties, underscoring how widespread the storms’ effects have been in the Golden State.
On Thursday, the first of a series of atmospheric river storms flowed into the state. As emergency personnel and citizens alike work to dig themselves out of the previous storms, forecasters warn that heavy rain mixed with the melting of snowcaps on California’s mountains could lead to major flooding.
Citizens living in the California mountains, such as in San Bernardino County, have already had it extremely difficult this winter, with the storms causing power outages, isolation from roads and necessities, and the devastating impacts of downed trees and power lines, occasionally even leading to death.
Newsom issued a state of emergency for 13 counties on March 1, and then a week later, added 21 counties to the declaration. “I expect to add additional counties as the snow continues to melt or be removed and further damage is revealed and/or needs arise,” the governor, who has been dealing with mild symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19 this week, wrote in his letter to Biden.
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Amid all the devastation Californians are already dealing with, Newsom fears the worst may be yet to come.
“As the State continues to respond to these winter storms and drawing upon CAL FIRE, CNG, CCC, CDCR, additional resources, including swift water rescue task forces, aviation search and rescue, high water vehicles, excavation equipment, fire engines, and hand crews, are being pre-positioning for what may be the most damaging storms of the series,” Newsom’s letter added.
“I am requesting an Emergency Declaration to authorize Direct Federal Assistance for effective efforts necessary to save lives and protect public health and safety, while reserving the right to request a Major Disaster Declaration based on damage caused by these winter storms.”
