The California flooding is expected to worsen overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday as a second storm lashes the West Coast, according to Accuweather. So far, the storm has caused thousands of people to evacuate their homes in Northern California. The weekend storm that hit Central and Northern California caused many rivers to swell to at flood stage, or above it. Rivers at or above the flooding stage include the Middle Fork Feather, Eel, Russian, Navarro, and Sacramento.
Throughout Tuesday, emergency crews worked hard to reinforce the levee along the Consumnes River in Sacramento County, but a Sacramento County emergency official believes that the water will spill over the levee before Midnight, which will lead to flooding in low-lying areas around it. Up to a foot of floodwater is expected at present.
The National Weather Service expects to see small rivers and streams rising to above flooding stage overnight in Central California counties under the flood warning. They also remind residents that if one sees a flooded area, please turn around and find an alternate route. Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles.
Along with the threat of flooding, there is also a high threat of danger from rockslides and mudslides. California endured a drought for several years, which intensifies this concern along with flooding. Also, the soil is now saturated, which increases the likelihood of flash flooding.