Photos: Flooding throughout California
Authorities warn that mudslides are still possible Friday even after a damaging storm moved through California, trapping people in floodwaters, triggering a debris flow that destroyed homes, and forcing residents to flee communities scorched by wildfires last year.
The powerful system swept in from the Pacific Ocean and unleashed rain, snow and wind across the U.S. West into Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona after walloping Northern California and southern Oregon earlier.
The heavy rain mostly ended Thursday night but forecasters said scattered showers are expected in California through Saturday.
A flood warning lasting through Saturday was issued for the community of Guerneville north of San Francisco because the Russian River surpassed flood stage overnight.
The National Weather Service reported staggering rainfall amounts across California, including more than 9.4 inches (24 centimeters) over 48 hours at one location in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles. – Associated Press
California weather
Flood water gushes down Leach Canyon near homes in Lake Elsinore, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Watchara Phomicinda/The Orange County Register via AP)
California weather
Southern Marin Fire Department members search a crushed house in the aftermath of a mudslide that destroyed three homes on a hillside in Sausalito, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Waves of heavy rain pounded California on Thursday, filling normally dry creeks and rivers with muddy torrents, flooding roadways and forcing residents to flee their homes in communities scorched by wildfires. (AP Photo/Michael Short)
California weather
Water rushes down the stairs of a house near a mudslide that destroyed three homes on a hillside in Sausalito, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Waves of heavy rain pounded California on Thursday, filling normally dry creeks and rivers with muddy torrents, flooding roadways and forcing residents to flee their homes in communities scorched by wildfires. (AP Photo/Michael Short)
California weather
The South Yuba River flows high with rain and snow runoff during a storm in Nevada County Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Elias Funez/The Union via AP)
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Neighbors gather to console the residents of a home in Nevada City where a large tree sliced through the residence early Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Elias Funez/The Union via AP)
California weather
Water from recent heavy rain storms breech a levee and flows under railroad tracks in Novato, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Waves of heavy rain pounded California on Thursday, flooding streets, triggering a mudslide that destroyed homes and forcing residents to flee communities scorched by wildfires last year. (AP Photo/Michael Short)
California weather
Water from recent heavy rain storms breeched a levee and flows under railroad tracks in Novato, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Waves of heavy rain pounded California on Thursday, flooding streets, triggering a mudslide that destroyed homes and forcing residents to flee communities scorched by wildfires last year. (AP Photo/Michael Short)
California weather
A man surveys the water and debris flows gushing from the Leach Canyon flood control behind homes in the 15100 block of Alvarado Street, while mandatory evacuation orders remain in place of neighborhoods in Lake Elsinore, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Watchara Phomicinda/The Orange County Register via AP)
California weather
A San Bernardino County Fire swift rescue team rescues people stranded on an island in the rain swollen Santa Ana River bed Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)
California weather
The Mojave River floods near the Deep Creek area as a winter storm passes through Hesperia, Calif., Thursday Feb. 14, 2019. (James Quigg/The Daily Press via AP)
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Residents of Sycamore Court flooded by Armstrong Creek, who declined to give their names, paddle out of high water from their apartment in Guerneville, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Waves of heavy rain pounded California on Thursday, trapping people in floodwaters, washing away a mountain highway, triggering a mudslide that destroyed homes and forcing residents to flee communities scorched by wildfires last year. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat via AP)
California weather
The Sacramento River flows under the Tower Bridge in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. The river reached the highest levels – almost 22 feet – of this winter season on Thursday. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via AP)