California:Tens of thousands without power as fresh storm lashes state

In United States of America, tens of thousands of storm-weary Californians were without power and under evacuation warnings on Wednesday as the latest storm packing wind-blown rain and snow threatened to bring more flooding to the rain-soaked state. The "atmospheric river" storm could dump more than an additional 1 inch (3 cm) of rain throughout the day in parts of the already-saturated Southern and Central California region, which has been hit hard by a relentless string of storms that began in late December.High-wind warnings and advisories were in effect from the Mexico border through Los Angeles and up into the San Francisco Bay area, where gusts of up to 60 miles per hour (97 kph) were forecast for some spots.

At least five people were killed by falling trees in California as a new round of storms swept the state. On Wednesday afternoon, more than 90,000 customers were without power and millions of residents were under flood watches. pic.twitter.com/PvV2N63CpH

— America Globe (@AmericaGlobe) March 23, 2023

Much of the region along with parts of Arizona and Nevada were under flood watches and advisories on Wednesday caused by the continued rain and snow melt, the National Weather Service said.More than 14,000 people statewide were under orders to seek higher ground because of flooding, with evacuation warnings issued for another 47,000 residents, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for the California Office of Emergency Services, said. The bulk of evacuation orders, covering some 12,000 people, were in Tulare County, a flood-stricken region in the San Joaquin Valley, where high water from recent levee breaches has inundated a number of communities.

One of the most memorable radar loops in memory for California as strong extra tropical storm makes “landfall” near San Francisco. An eyewall like feature bringing 60-70+ mph wind gusts. Nearly 200,000 without power! pic.twitter.com/gubDaXPQMz

— Scot Pilié (@ScotPilie_Wx) March 21, 2023

The rapid succession of Pacific storms during the past three months has created an abrupt reversal of fortune for a state preoccupied for the past few years by drought and wildfires - a swing in weather extremes that experts say is symptomatic of human-induced climate change.California's harsh winter has caused widespread property damage and upheaval for thousands of residents, with more than 20 deaths attributed to the storms.