Houses overhanging a washed-out cliff – this is how part of a housing estate in one of the cities in Santa Barbara County, California looks like. Several days of heavy rains have caused coastal erosion. Heavy rains caused flooding and destruction in other parts of the state, including Los Angeles. There are many casualties.
Heavy rains lashed central California on Wednesday, threatening more mudslides and landslides as they headed toward Los Angeles. At least 6 people died as a result of days of heavy rains accompanied by cyclonic winds across the state.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles officials said they responded to 475 calls about mudslides and nearly 400 downed trees. There was also a flood. Dozens of buildings were damaged, and residents of seven homes are now unable to return.
Ditch houses
Coastal erosion due to heavy rainfall. In the town of Isla Vista in Santa Barbara County, part of a cliff was severely damaged, bringing homes dangerously close to the edge. This can be seen in drone footage.
The fire department said 45 people were evacuated. The condition of the buildings is monitored by the Engineer and City Services.
Part of the cliff collapsed and houses hung over the ravine2024 Cable News Network All rights reserved
As of Wednesday, about 68,000 homes and businesses were without power in California. The damage caused by the violent incidents occurred in seven districts, home to approximately 21 million people.
Atmospheric six and a half years it rains on two days
Los Angeles received nearly 180 liters of water per square meter from Sunday to Monday. This is the third highest rainfall in two days. It has rained in 48 hours as much as is usually recorded in half a year.
Such heavy rainfall has occurred in California as a result of an atmospheric river. It is the name given to the phenomenon of a vast wind tunnel located about 1.5 kilometers above the Earth. It carries a lot of moisture, which is driven from the waters of the Hawaiian Islands (the main exporter of pineapples – hence the phenomenon's second name, “Pineapple Express”) towards the continental United States. This event results in heavy rain and snowstorms.
Reuters, Fox Weather, CNN, tvnmeteo.pl
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