As a powerful storm swept into the state on Wednesday, bringing strong winds and rain that threatened extensive flooding and knocked out power to more than 100,000 people, authorities in California ordered evacuations in a high-risk coastal area where mudslides killed 23 people in 2018.
The majority of the San Francisco Bay Area would continue to be under flood warnings into late Thursday night, and the storm was predicted to dump up to 6 inches of rain in some areas of the region. Santa Barbara and Ventura counties were predicted to get the heaviest rainfall in Southern California as the storm reached its peak intensity overnight into early Thursday morning, according to forecasters.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed said at a news conference that the city was “preparing for a war.” Crews cleared clogged storm drains, tried to move homeless people into shelters, and passed out emergency supplies and ponchos to those who refused to go. The city distributed so many sandbags to residents that supplies temporarily ran out.
Powerful winds gusting to 136 km/h or more forced the cancellation of more than 70 flights at San Francisco International Airport and downed trees and power lines.
The fire department also reported “large pieces of glass” fell off the Fox Plaza tower near the Civic Center, although no injuries were reported. It was “highly possible” the damage to the skyscraper was wind-related, the department tweeted.
The majority of the San Francisco Bay Area would continue to be under flood warnings into late Thursday night, and the storm was predicted to dump up to 6 inches of rain in some areas of the region. Santa Barbara and Ventura counties were predicted to get the heaviest rainfall in Southern California as the storm reached its peak intensity overnight into early Thursday morning, according to forecasters.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed said at a news conference that the city was “preparing for a war.” Crews cleared clogged storm drains, tried to move homeless people into shelters, and passed out emergency supplies and ponchos to those who refused to go. The city distributed so many sandbags to residents that supplies temporarily ran out.
Powerful winds gusting to 136 km/h or more forced the cancellation of more than 70 flights at San Francisco International Airport and downed trees and power lines.
The fire department also reported “large pieces of glass” fell off the Fox Plaza tower near the Civic Center, although no injuries were reported. It was “highly possible” the damage to the skyscraper was wind-related, the department tweeted.
