SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With more than 8,500 state crews on standby and 7 million sandbags prepared, emergency officials in California are bracing for the arrival of a potentially destructive storm, expected to move in early Sunday morning.
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During a press conference Saturday morning, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) urged people to prepare and avoid travel until the atmospheric river-fueled storm passes, possibly by Tuesday night.
"These next storms are going to be impactful and dangerous," said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward. "Governor Newsom has mobilized the full weight of the state government. He's activated our State Operations Center behind me to 24-hour operations."
The state's Department of Water Resources and Caltrans also activated their operation centers Saturday morning, monitoring conditions across the state's rivers, levees and roadways.
They expect flood systems like weirs to be activated to make room in reservoirs and rivers for the several inches of rain and snow expected.
The onslaught of precipitation and strong winds has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a high wind warning, a winter storm warning and a flood watch for portions of Northern California.
Emergency officials fear that howling winds, as strong as 60 miles per hour in the valley, could lead to power outages.
"During high winds avoid going outside as there is dangerous debris falling tree limbs and downed power lines. High winds may lead to power outages," said Ward. "Keep your batteries handy for your devices. Plan for other alternative power sources as you may need them if the power goes out."
In Sacramento, city officials have opened a weather respite center at 3615 Auburn Blvd. The center will be open through 9 a.m. Thursday. Sacramento Regional Transit is offering free rides to and from the center.
Some busses will not be operating, however, in the Sierra due to the treacherous driving conditions expected.
In a Facebook post, El Dorado Transit said it would not operate its Sacramento/ South Lake Tahoe connecting bus on Sunday and Monday.
In the valley, officials are preparing for the possibility of flooding. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services opened sandbag locations in Lathrop, Manteca, Tracy, Escalon, Linden, Mountain House and French Camp.
Modesto Police said Saturday that officers would notify people living along the Tuolumne River about an anticipated rise in water levels. In the same area a week before, officers discovered and blocked off large caves dug into the riverbed where they said the homeless were living.
According to the Department of Water Resources, locations along five rivers in the state are expected to reach flood stage. The rivers are located in Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Clara, Ventura and San Diego counties.
"I personally have a call each day with a FEMA regional administrator for Region Nine, with an update, sharing information of what their teams are seeing, what we're seeing," said Ward. "This is a very, very dangerous storm. So take care of yourselves (and) your loved ones."
Maps:
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National Weather Service's Sacramento radar:
Power Outages
PG&E power outages.
TRAFFIC
Sacramento region traffic map:
Storm damage in Sacramento after Northern California storms in early February 2024
Watch more from ABC10: California Atmospheric River: Strong winter storm to bring heavy rain, snow, and flooding
