SALINAS, Calif. — The atmospheric river walloping California with drenching rains and gale-force winds eased Tuesday after forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes as rivers and creeks swelled to dangerous levels.
The series of storms, which dumped up to 10 inches of rain on Southern California late last week, roared through Northern California on Monday. San Francisco was slammed with almost 2 inches of rain; some areas in the mountains got more than 6 inches. One wind gust reached 199 mph.
In Monterey County, rising waters in the Carmel River, Santa Rita Creek and other waterways forced evacuation of several communities. In Salinas, about 100 miles south of San Francisco, a mandatory evacuation remained in effect for 1,000 people Tuesday. Bolsa Knolls community resident George Quintero said flood waters at one point reached his waist.
"Just six inches of water can sweep you off your feet if it's flowing the right speed," said Loomis. "You don't know what's underneath the water and you don't know what's inside it."
Winds howled — a gust of 199 mph was measured atop Ward Mountain at the Alpine Meadows ski resort late Monday evening, the National Weather Service said. The ski area was closed Tuesday due to avalanche danger and continuing high winds, which averaged over 100 mph Tuesday morning.
Meteorologists placed part of the blame on atmospheric rivers — ribbons of water vapor extending thousands of miles from the tropics to the western USA. They fueled the massive rainstorms and subsequent floods that have battered California and much of the West Coast for weeks.
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