US on alert for a storm that has flooded California and moves east

Several western and central states USA They remain on alert for heavy rains that have hit Northern California and caused severe flooding and power outages on Saturday.

The National Meteorological Service reported this Sunday through social networks of the existence of “a powerful storm system” which will produce heavy snowfall in the mountains, gusty winds and locally intense or excessive rainfall.

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The system is moving eastward after northern California on Saturday California suffered the consequences of torrential rains.

The city of Oakland was one of the most affected, with the heaviest rains in its history, which caused numerous floods.

Some 235,000 homes were left without electricity in California and Nevada and hundreds of residents had to evacuate their homes on New Year’s Eve.

In Sacramento County, several rivers began to overflow, according to the National Weather Service, and thousands of residents of municipalities like Wilton had to leave their homes due to the risk of flooding.

Vehicles move through flooded roads after heavy rain, in San Francisco, California, U.S. (Elizabeth Dzeng/via REUTERS/)

The hour-long torrent of rain forced the closure of Highway 101 south of San Francisco, cutting off a main route between the city and Silicon Valley, as well as Highway 50 in the Sierra Nevada that connects to South Lake Tahoe.

On Interstate 80 dozens of drivers who were trapped in the snow had to be rescued.

The alert affects some 15 million people and comes a week after winter storm Elliot left more than 50 dead from the cold and accidents, in addition to 1.7 million homes without power, with the city of Buffalo (northwest of the state of New York) as the most affected.

Partially submerged cars are seen on a flooded highway after heavy rain in San Francisco, California, U.S. (Dav Yaginuma/via REUTERS/)

Source: Elcomercio