California Storm Expected to Bring Massive Flooding

The massive rainstorm hitting Southern California this weekend is threatening to bring floods and landslides.

The National Weather Service (NWS) posted flash-flood watches for the entire region in anticipation of record amounts of rain in a short period of time, accompanied by strong gusty winds.

Rainfall up to 3-6 inches was forecast for most of the region’s coastal and valley areas through Monday, with 6-12 inches expected in the foothills and lower-elevation mountains.

“People need to start preparing now for a major flooding event,” the weather service said.

Forecasters said that with soil already saturated and streams running high from the storm that soaked the ground last week, the flood potential from the coming precipitation is higher than normal.

Flash-flood watches were also in effect along a stretch of California’s Central Coast, including Big Sur, extending north into the San Francisco Bay area.

The NWS also warned that ski areas were looking at snowfalls measuring 2-4 feet in the higher-elevation mountains.