11:58am UK, Wednesday December 22, 2010
Southern California residents are bracing themselves for yet more severe weather as storms, rain and snow continue to pummel the region.
After days of record snow, high winds and heavy rainfall, the situation is expected to worsen over the next few days across what is known as the Golden State.
Weather conditions are so extreme that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in some areas.
He also ordered homes and businesses to be evacuated in affected areas.
In a statement, the governor said: "Flood conditions caused by these storms are causing the evacuation of residents and the opening of emergency shelters."
Governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerExtraordinary and continuing rainfall will pose a continued threat of flooding in urban areas.
He added that the current forecast predicts "extraordinary and continuing rainfall, which will pose a continued threat of flooding in urban areas".
In response, Los Angeles county ordered the evacuation of more than 230 residents, while fire stations offered sand bags as reinforcements for homes.
So far, many areas have seen 10 inches of rain, road closures, power outages and a record number of motorists have been calling emergency services for help.
Extreme weather has seen flooding in parts of California
Authorities are bracing themselves for the worst of the weather today, with more flooding, storms, hail, snow and even small tornados.
Not all residents are complaining though, with some Californians welcoming the heavy snowfall and extreme weather.
Ski resorts in the San Gabriel and San Bernadino mountains are celebrating after seeing up to nine inches of snow on Tuesday, with more expected throughout the week.
No comments:
Post a Comment