One person has died in Redding, California, as torrential rain and flooding hit the city, prompting officials to warn residents to stay off roads amid a week-long flood watch covering 41 million people.
Fatality and Rescue Efforts
Redding Mayor Mike Littau confirmed the death in a Facebook update posted Sunday night and added details on Monday. “The call came into 911 from a person stuck while water was coming into the vehicle,” Littau wrote. “The caller’s phone then died.” A Redding Police Officer swam out, broke the windows, and pulled the victim to shore. CPR was performed, but the person did not live.
Evacuation Center and Community Support
An evacuation center has opened at Pilgrim Congregational Church, where displaced residents can get warm, stay dry, and access snacks and warm drinks.
Flood Watches and Weather Outlook
As of Monday afternoon, flood watches remain in effect for 41 million people, covering nearly all of California and parts of southern Nevada and northwest Arizona. Cities at risk include San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. A potent atmospheric river is fuelling the flooding and will continue throughout the week, with the moisture plume moving toward Southern California. San Francisco’s watch runs Monday morning through late Thursday, Los Angeles from Tuesday afternoon to late Wednesday, and San Diego from early Wednesday through Thursday. More rain, wind and snow will hit the West from Tuesday through Friday, likely increasing the flood threat. North-central California and the northern Sierra are expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of rainfall, with higher elevations receiving heavy mountain snow and strong winds, creating dangerous travel conditions.
City and County Advisories
Redding is “very concerned” that rainfall from Tuesday to Friday could have a bigger impact than Sunday’s event, according to Mayor Littau. “Departments are working to repair damage from Sunday evening and to stage resources for the next storm system expected to arrive on Tuesday,” the Redding Facebook page said. On Monday afternoon, Littau advised residents to “stay off the roads” and to “be aware of surroundings.” In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass urged residents with holiday travel plans to “use caution on the roads, plan ahead, and stay informed,” and encouraged signing up for emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org.
Key Takeaways
- One fatality in Redding due to flooding.
- Evacuation center open at Pilgrim Congregational Church.
- Flood watches cover 41 million people across California and parts of Nevada and Arizona.
Torrential rain will pass over the northern California coastline Tuesday before moving into parts of southern California, with treacherous travel conditions forecast across the state by Christmas Eve, especially in the southern region from Santa Barbara to Oceanside.
