California braces for dangerous flooding as massive storm moves in
Written by ABC AUDIO ALL RIGHTS RESERVED on February 24, 2023
(LOS ANGELES) — California is bracing for dangerous flooding as a rare winter storm slams the state.
Six inches of rain is forecast for the Southern California coast, from Santa Barbara to San Diego, Friday night into Saturday. Wind gusts could reach 70 mph and flooding and mudslides are possible.
In Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, rainfall rates could reach 1 inch per hour.
California is also seeing snow. A rare blizzard warning was issued for Southern California where up to 8 feet of snow is possible in the highest elevations in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains.
Snowfall rates could reach 2 inches per hour. Strong winds and whiteout conditions are expected.
A dusting of snow has even reached the hills around San Francisco and the hills of Hollywood.
In the Midwest, residents are digging out from their own winter storm.
Over 600,000 customers in Michigan are without power Friday after an ice storm hit, coating trees and power lines.
A volunteer firefighter in Paw Paw, Michigan, died Wednesday evening when a power line fell on him, according to Paw Paw Fire Chief Jim DeGroff. The buildup of ice caused a tree limb to snap the line, DeGroff said.
A GoFundMe identified the victim as Ethan Quillen, who leaves behind his wife and daughter.
Minneapolis saw over 1 foot of snow, marking the city’s second-biggest February snowstorm.
Looking ahead, a short-lived cold blast is expected for the Northeast.
In Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, damaging winds and hail are forecast for Sunday evening.
And that storm is forecast to reach the Northeast Monday night into Tuesday, potentially bringing heavy snow to New England.
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