Southern California is bracing for a series of storms dubbed “pineapple express,” which have already made their mark on the San Francisco Bay Area, breaking rainfall records and causing significant disruptions. The initial storm, which hit early this week, has led to severe flooding in various regions, prompting evacuations and road closures.
On Tuesday, as heavy rains swept through the area, a house in Forestville, Sonoma County, collapsed into the Russian River due to a saturated hillside. In response to the rising water levels, authorities ordered evacuations for low-lying areas downstream, including Guerneville. The flooding impacted major roadways, with sections of U.S. 101 in Windsor and Interstate 5 experiencing significant inundation. San Francisco also faced its share of chaos, where a large tree branch fell and injured a passerby.
Power outages affected approximately 15,000 customers early Wednesday morning, according to Pacific Gas & Electric Co. The storm, characterized by gusty winds and heavy rain, caused widespread disruptions and raised concerns about potential landslides and rockslides in vulnerable areas.
Meteorologists predict that the storm’s impact will be lighter in Southern California, although it still poses a risk of flooding and debris flow, particularly in areas recently scorched by wildfires. The National Weather Service has indicated that gusts of wind ranging from 15 to 30 mph are expected in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with higher gusts up to 50 mph in desert areas.
As the atmospheric river storm moves southward, officials are on high alert for possible landslides and mudflows, especially in regions like northwestern San Luis Obispo County, where heavy rainfall is anticipated. A stretch of Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard has already been closed due to the risk of debris flow.
The storm is expected to taper off in Los Angeles and Ventura counties by Wednesday morning, but a second, weaker storm is forecast to hit on Thursday. While rainfall totals will be modest—around 0.43 inches for downtown Los Angeles from the first storm—forecasters warn that the cumulative effect of these storms may not be sufficient to end the fire season, as the region still faces a significant deficit in winter rainfall.
In the wake of these storms, officials are preparing for a potential return of dry, windy conditions that could reignite fire risks. The recent rains, while providing temporary relief, are not enough to declare an end to the fire season, as experts note that a dry Santa Ana wind event could still lead to extreme fire behavior.
The ongoing weather events highlight the struggles faced by California as it grapples with the dual threats of floods and fires, underscoring the need for preparedness in the face of increasingly volatile weather patterns.