Evacuations have been ordered in several places in California, as heavy downpours send rivers and creeks flowing over their banks.
A levee broke along the San Joaquin river in Manteca, east of San Francisco, on Monday, forcing out 500 residents.
“The sheriff department just came out and said evacuate, and we had to evacuate in a hurry, I mean just hurry,” said Kathleen Romero, one of the evacuees.
The break has since been repaired, and the evacuees can go home on Tuesday.
Further south, heavy rain and flooding are causing big problems for people along the Monterey Bay coast.
Residents of one neighborhood in Salinas were told to evacuate.
Officials there are warning that the streets can be like rivers.
“A lot of people are attracted to watch it because it’s very intriguing,” said Brett Loomis, the deputy chief of the Salinas Fire Dept.
“One misstep could be catastrophic. Please stay away from the flowing water.”
Santa Cruz county got nearly three inches of rain in 24 hours, and up to eight inches more could be on the way.
Water is filling the streets in the seaside town of Aptos.
“There was high tide this morning so it literally looked like the water was flooding up the street,” said Aptos resident Thaddeus Kosciolek.
Strong winds are bringing down trees, including five that fell in front of one home.
Weather watches and warnings were issued for nearly a dozen counties because of flooding and gusting winds.
(AP)
