CALIFORNIA, USA — Blizzard Warning in effect in the Sierra, chain controls on I-80, Highway 50
Heavy snow continues to fall in the Sierra, prompting a Blizzard Warning to be in effect until 4 a.m. on Friday.
Up to 8 feet of snow is possible with wind gusts in excess of 70 miles per hour. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for lower elevations with up to 7 feet of snow possible.
A High Wind Advisory was put in effect on Interstate 80 from the Solano/Yolo County line to the Sacramento/Placer County line, according to Caltrans District 3. Those hauling campers, trailers, or permit loads are advised not to travel through the area.
Chain controls are in place on I-80 from 3.4 mi east of Gold Run to then Nevada State Line.
Chains are also required on Highway 50 from 1.5 mi west of Kyburz to Meyers.
Flash Flood Watch in effect for Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, and several other cities and counties in Northern California.
Most of the watches are set to expire at 5 p.m. on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
ABC10's Van Tieu traveled to Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties to get a closer look at the situation on the ground.
Several city streets were inundated with rainwater with more expected in the overnight hours.
Two homeless people dead in Sacramento amid winter storm
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg told ABC10 that one homeless person has died following a major winter storm that passed through the area Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
“It’s a human being. That’s someone with a family who I don’t know what the cause of death was, but nobody should be out on the streets period," Steinberg said. "No one should be out on the streets -- certainly during the worst weather possible. I believe we should have these warming centers every day, every night, throughout the wintertime, and during the summer as well. We’ve got to bring people indoors.”
During an emergency Sacramento City Council meeting meant to address people being exposed to the elements, Steinberg said a second homeless person had also died in the storm.
So far, no details about the either death have been given.
For the full story, click HERE.
Storm pounds California, Nevada with rain, wind and snow
A powerful storm packing heavy rain, snow and wind is pounding parts of California and Nevada.
Trees have been toppled and there are power outages and mud flows in areas scarred by wildfires. Mudslides near Salinas south of the Bay Area caused damage to about two dozen rural ranch homes beneath hillsides. One woman was treated for broken bones after mud went through a house.
The onslaught Wednesday is being fueled by a potent atmospheric river weather system that swept in from the Pacific and passed through the San Francisco Bay Area overnight. The storm was expected to drop down into Southern California on Thursday.
Homeless person dies during winter storm in Sacramento
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg told ABC10 that one homeless person has died following a major winter storm that passed through the area Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Sacramento City Councilmember Katie Valenzuela first announced the death in a tweet Wednesday afternoon. "Just confirmed that one unhoused person died last night in my district," said Valenzuela on Twitter. "I'm beyond grief-stricken... I'm angry. We can and MUST do better for our neighbors."
Mayor Steinberg confirmed the death in an interview with Lena Howland. The identity of the person and how they died is not known at this time.
Sacramento Zoo closes for two days due to damage from winds
The animals are safe! But high winds in the Sacramento area have caused some damage at the Sacramento Zoo, prompting the park to close for Wednesday and Thursday.
For those who had already purchased tickets for either date, a spokesperson said the zoo team will be in touch regarding your ticket/reservation.
Original story:
Northern California braces for more rain, wind and snow from a powerful winter storm Wednesday morning was filled with strong damaging wind for valley locations and heavy rain.
Most valley locations picked up between 0.50-1.00” of rain Mostly overnight and rain will continue as scattered showers for most of Wednesday afternoon. Late Wednesday and early Thursday more rain is expected until Friday morning.
Wind gusts up to 67 miles per hour were recorded in the Sacramento area with most valley locations seeing gusts in the 50 miles per hour range. Strong wind is forecast for the Sierra today as well with 35 miles per hour sustained wind and heavy snow creating rare Blizzard conditions until very early Friday morning. Roads and travel may be impossible at times.
The storm begins to clear Friday morning but a high avalanche danger remains in the Sierra after 5-8 feet of snow falls over the duration of the storm.
Crews work to remove a tree from the top of a car parked off 21st Street in Sacramento.
