SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is under a state of emergency, waiting for what Governor Gavin Newsom fears is one of the worst storms to hit the state in years.
A state of emergency means a lot of technical things, like more funding or the ability for other states to come in and help if needed.
"Provides additional authority and powers to rapidly deploy aid to impacted communities,” California Office of Emergency Services Director ancy Ward explained.
There was no sugar coating from state officials Wednesday morning.
“We anticipate that this may be one of the most challenging and impactful series of storms to touch down in California in the last five years,” Ward said.
The director of the California Department of Water Resources said they are monitoring the potential of floods
“These kinds of events can trigger mudslides and significant debris flow," DWR Director Karla Nemeth said. "So be ready to evacuate as needed. In our flood operation center, we communicate multiple times a day with local flood control districts. We have dispatched flood fighting materials at 49 sites throughout the state.”
California Highway Patrol says they are planning for an influx of 911 calls
“We will add staff on if we need to, we'll hold the additional staff or mandate overtime to field the calls,” California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee said.
The state is preparing for an incoming storm, while local crews on the ground are still cleaning up from the last.
“They're a bit overwhelmed," Ward said about cleaning downed trees. "And so I think it'll take a little bit, but they're going to be busy for quite some time.”
Officials made their point clear on Wednesday morning.
“Stay off the roads if you can,” Karla Nemeth said.
“We're asking you to please stay home,” Tony Tavares with Caltrans said.
“Stay home if possible,” Commissioner Sean Duryee said.
They said there's only so much they can do before human before gets in the way.
“You can't protect against everything you need to," Ward said. "The flood response strategy to keeping people safe are the levees, but it's also human behavior.”
”Please do not ignore road closure signs or attempt to cross flooded roadways," Duryee said. "This is extremely dangerous and an unnecessary risk. As little as 12 inches of water can cause a vehicle to start to float.
Cal OES rates these atmospheric rivers on a scale of one to five, five being the most dangerous. It’s based on the amount of rain, and the duration of the rain.
They said the one coming in Wednesday is a three because the rain won’t be as bad, but they said it’s the wind here that will be the most challenging. Especially because the already saturated soils that will cause trees to fall.
WATCH RELATED: Winter storm with heavy rain heading to San Diego Thursday (Jan. 2023).