California preps for new blast of winter
Weather service also warns Northern Nevada
LOS ANGELES — A powerful winter storm was bearing down Wednesday on California and forecasters warned of heavy snowfall in the northern mountains while predictions of widespread rainfall elsewhere raised concern about flash flooding near wildfire burn scars.
Santa Barbara County issued a recommended evacuation warning for south coast communities including Montecito, where a storm dropped an enormous amount of rain in the early morning hours of Jan. 9.
Flash floods carrying huge boulders blasted through Montecito, destroying or damaging hundreds of homes. Twenty-one people were killed and two remain missing.
The county is following a rigorous new system of alerts that emphasizes evacuations well in advance of storms rather than suggesting residents can use their discretion.
Officials hoped to decide Thursday whether to issue a mandatory evacuation order before the system intensifies in Southern California on Friday.
People cannot be forced to leave their homes under a mandatory evacuation order, but authorities said they should not be expected to be rescued while the storm is occurring.
“Our intention is to make sure that you have a plan, that you are prepared, and that you are safe,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “Just because the skies are blue right now doesn’t mean there isn’t a threat.”
People with mobility issues or those with large animals should get out now, officials said. There were no estimates on how many people may have left the area.
Montecito and neighboring communities on the coastal foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains lie below slopes burned bare by the largest wildfire in recorded California history as well as other fires in recent years.
Evacuation fatigue for some residents is a factor. Some evacuated multiple times during the wildfires and again when the mudslides hit.
Alerts for Nevada
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a series of winter storm warnings and advisories across most of Northern Nevada for the next three days as the biggest storm of the season moves into the region.
A winter storm warning went into effect at 10 p.m. Wednesday for the Lake Tahoe-area and extends through 10 a.m. Saturday.
The service said anywhere from 2 to 5 feet of snow is expected in the upper elevations, with 1 to 3 feet at lake level.
A winter weather advisory runs from 4 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Saturday along the Sierra’s eastern front, including Reno and Carson City where 2 to 5 inches is expected on the valley floors and up to 12 inches in the foothills.
In north-central and northeast Nevada, a winter storm watch began Wednesday afternoon for parts of Lander, Eureka, Nye, Elko and White Pine Counties. It runs through Saturday afternoon.