Evacuation orders are in effect in parts of San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, warning of an “immediate life threat.”
The orders come amid predictions that parts of the Bay Area and the mountains of Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia could see up to 25 inches of rain until late Thursday. A high wind warning is also in effect in the Bay Area through Wednesday afternoon. Across the state, more than 8 million people are under flood warnings, with a combination of torrential rain and historic mountain snow hitting the region.
The Santa Cruz County sheriff’s deputies went door-to-door earlier this week warning residents to leave the area before the storms, according to CNN-affiliate KSBW.
‘Please be safe and listen to evacuation orders,’ the sheriff’s office urged on Tuesday Twitter.
Potential for dangerous mudslides
But it’s not just the strong winds and heavy rain that worry officials. Significant burn scars remain from the devastating 2020 wildfire season, meaning there is the potential for mudslides. In the counties of Santa Cruz and San Mateo, the CZU August Lightning Complex scorched more than 85,000 acres in the fall.
When wildfires consume land, they destroy vegetation that would otherwise take up water and keep soil and debris in place. After millions of acres in the state were burned to the ground last year, that country is now at greater risk of both flash floods and mudslides.
And mudslides can be extremely dangerous. According to the United States Geological Survey, they kill an average of between 25 and 50 people in the United States every year. Most of the fatalities are the result of “rock waterfalls, debris flows or volcanic debris flows,” said USGS.
In January 2018, at least 20 people were killed, dozens of homes were destroyed, and hundreds more were damaged as a result of mudslides devastating Montecito.
Resident Tina Button told KSBW that her family has bought a motorhome specifically for situations like this.
“When we have to leave, we have a place to stay that we don’t have to pay for or worry about,” Button said. “Before we were evacuated for the fires, we didn’t know where we were going.”
Heavy snow also expected
Meanwhile, parts of the high Sierra can see as much as 1.5 meters of snow this week, with possibly as much as 2 meters of snow in a few areas through Friday.
Caltrans, the state’s transportation agency, said they expect “blizzards and white-out conditions” in parts of the Sierra.
“We cannot stress this enough – IF YOU ARE NOT AT YOUR DESTINATION FOR SUNSET TONIGHT, TRIP TO THE SIERRA IS NOT RECOMMENDED,” Caltrans wrote on Twitter Tuesday. “Heavy snow is falling on tap and white-out conditions are expected. Make smart travel choices.”
In Butte County, authorities reported that it was starting to snow and warned residents to “take all precautions” while driving.
“Remember to slow down and be aware of road hazards such as trees, power lines and other hazards,” said the Butte County Sheriff’s Office said.
CNN’s Joe Sutton and Sarah Moon contributed to this report.
