Flooding in California

California has been in a severe drought for the last four years and the state is in desperate need of water. The recent shift to an El Niño, or warm phase of the Pacific Ocean, will likely bring much needed rain to most of California this fall and winter.

Current U.S. Drought Monitor — Current drought conditions in the U.S. (U.S. Drought Monitor)

This is causing problems already as very dry areas in southern California have been susceptible to flooding during recent rain events. Yesterday’s rain caused flooding and mudslides along Interstate 5 in California leaving many drivers stranded in terrible conditions.

Flooding has led to mudslides in So. California, trapping motorists. Photo credit: Nicholas Shrum near Lake Hughes: pic.twitter.com/tgeWqXaXPF

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 16, 2015

In fact, southern California looks to have a wetter-than-normal winter according to a recent post by the LA Times in collaboration with the Climate Prediction Center. While the rain is necessary, more flooding across the state is likely.

El Nino rain forecast for California for the winter of 2016 — Winter rain outlook for California (courtesy LA Times)

In a recent interview with the LA Times, hydrologist Alan Haynes from NOAA stated, “If the wettest year were to occur, we still wouldn’t erase the deficit that’s built up in the last four years.”

Read the full article here.