California storm: Possible tornado hit state while Los Angeles was under flash flood warnings
Risk of mudslides remained high
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Flash flood warnings were announced in parts of California early on Thursday amid reports of a possible tornado in the southern half of the state.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected to continue Thursday with widespread flooding risk including in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Pomona, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
A possible tornado was reported overnight in Grover Beach, southern California after warnings were issued late Wednesday.
The threat of mudslides remains high from the storm, which unleashed historic amounts of rain this week, leaving the ground saturated.
At least nine people have been killed from falling trees, car crashes, and being swept away in raging waters.
Community organisers told The Independent on Wednesday that Los Angeles’ storm response for the city’s large homeless population was “abysmal” and accused authorities of telling “bold-faced-lies”.
Nevada braces for heavy snow, rain as storm continues
Residents of Central and Southeast Nevada should brace for heavy winter storms today, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters expect up to 12 inches of snow in the high-elevation regions of Nevada today. Meanwhile, Southern California is still seeing heavy rain bringing continued risks of floods and devastating landslides.
After cliff collapse, nearby community returns safely to homes
Earlier this week, a cliff in the seaside community of Isla Vista collapsed due to heavy rain.
Residents have since returned to their homes, local outlet KTLA5 reports. The disaster hit amid a devastating series of weather events in California, including hundreds of mudslides throughout the state.
California power lines on the mend as outage reports shrink
Some 30,000 households in California are without power as of Thursday morning, according to PowerOutage.us, marking a major improvement from earlier this week.
When this week’s atmospheric river first made landfall in California over the weekend, nearly half a million households lost power. Now, with less than 50,000 still without, Californian officials appear to be making significant headway in repairs as the state recovers from the worst of the rain.
The state isn’t in the clear yet though — heavy rain and snow in higher elevations are expected through the end of the week, and the risk of devastating mudslides remains high due to saturated soil.
SEE IT: Possible tornado knocks down trees in Grover Beach, California
Officials are investigating whether a tornado swept through California’s Grover Beach yesterday, according to local official Jim Munro.
Southern California coastlines remain under flood advisories
Residents of the Southern California coast remain under flood advisories as of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) reports.
Meanwhile, residents are also warned to stay away from beaches as riptides and flooding remain an issue, per the NWS. The coastal town of Grover Beach is currently reeling from a massive weather event that NWS officials are investigating to determine if a tornado swept through the region.
SEE IT: Drone footage of eroded cliff in California
ICYMI: LA authorities’ response to homeless citizens during California storms dubbed ‘abysmal’
Community organisers have accused Los Angeles authorities of “bold-faced lies” and said the city’s response to its unhoused population during the recent catastrophic storms has been “abysmal”.
Despite promises that extra aid would be available, contact with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has reportedly been difficult, exacerbated by the fact that many seeking shelter do not have phones or internet access.
The Independent’s Mike Bedigan has the story:
LA authorities’ response to homeless citizens during California storms ‘abysmal’
Community organisers say that contact with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has been difficult, exacerbated by the fact that many seeking shelter do not have phones or internet access
NWS reveals five-day rain totals for Los Angeles area
The National Weather Service (NWS) released five-day snow and rain totals for Southern California.
Over just five days, several areas of Los Angeles received well over a foot of rain, with the highest total of 14.88 inches recorded at Cogswell Dam.
Meanwhile, California’s Mountain High hit nearly 4 feet of snow, recording up to 42 inches over five days.
While Californians will get a reprieve from the storms today, according to the NWS, risks of flooding and landslides remain due to over-saturated soil.
SEE IT: Satellite footage of swirling storms over California yesterday
Possible tornado in Grover Beach could be county’s first in 20 years
Officials with the National Weather Service are currently in Grover Beach, California investigating whether a tornado struck the seaside city.
If they confirm it was a tornado, it would be the county’s first in 20 years — and only the third on record, according to Greg Diamond, weather producer for Fox Weather.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments