More ‘atmospheric river’ storms to sweep across California after days of rain and floods

Since Christmas the state has faced an exceptionally wet winter after being plagued far more by drought in recent years

Californians are bracing for the arrival of another “atmospheric river” storm on Monday after a weekend of heavy rainfall and flooding forced thousands to evacuate, washed out roads and knocked out power.

Among areas hardest hit were riverfront communities in central California where numerous streams engorged by runoff of rain and melting snow from surrounding mountains were transformed into raging torrents. More than 1,500 people were ordered to evacuate from Pajaro, a northern California agricultural community, on Saturday after waters from the swollen Pajaro River breached a levee.