Atmospheric River Causes Deadly Floods in Northern California

Heavy rains from a powerful atmospheric river battered Northern California over the weekend, triggering deadly flash flooding that claimed at least one life in Redding and prompted numerous water rescues across the region.

The storm dumped between three and six inches of rain in parts of Shasta and Humboldt counties by Sunday night, swelling rivers, creeks and roadways. In Redding, a city of about 93,000 residents located 160 miles north of Sacramento, police responded to multiple calls from stranded motorists who attempted to drive through inundated areas. "One person in Redding died," Mayor Mike Littau posted on social media, without providing additional details on the circumstances. First responders conducted several water rescues, pulling people from vehicles and homes as floodwaters rose rapidly. The Redding Police Department urged drivers to avoid flooded roads, noting that even shallow water can sweep away cars or cause them to stall.

Authorities established an Emergency Operations Center and opened shelters for displaced residents, with the American Red Cross providing assistance in Shasta County. Interstate 5 and other key routes in the area faced closures due to...