Northern California braces for record rainfall as powerful storm system approaches
Northern California is experiencing heavy rain and strong winds from a powerful atmospheric river combined with a bomb cyclone. This has led to a high risk of excessive rainfall, with totals potentially reaching 16 inches by Thursday. Residents are preparing for flooding. The bomb cyclone has already caused significant damage, including at least two fatalities in Washington due to fallen trees. Winds reached up to 98 mph, leading to landslides and power outages affecting nearly 350,000 customers in Washington. Another low-pressure system is expected to approach the Northwest coast, but forecasters believe it will be less severe than the current storm. Conditions are improving in Washington as the first storm moves away, with blizzard warnings expiring and power restoration efforts ongoing.