Millions residing along the California coast, US, face a high flood risk as a new wave of moist air from the Pacific Ocean continues to move inland, following an early-week storm that broke daily rainfall records.

On 16/2, many areas across California reported flooding. Los Angeles experienced 2.5-5 cm of rainfall, while the coastal mountain range north of San Francisco Bay recorded 7.5-12 cm, marking the highest levels ever.

In the Westwood area of Los Angeles, water levels reached car bodies, and some roads were closed due to landslides. Stockton and Modesto also reported unprecedented daily rainfall totals.

Cars navigate flooded streets in Los Angeles, California, on 17/2. *Reuters*

Rain persisted across the state on 17/2, with the San Francisco area experiencing the heaviest downpours. Storms were forecast to reach Los Angeles by the evening of 17/2. A third, lighter rain event is expected to impact California on 19/2.

Concurrently, heavy snow spread from the mountains of northern California into the southern Sierra Nevada region, leading to the closure of numerous ski resorts. Wind gusts ranging from 72 to 88 km/h severely reduced visibility in mountain passes.

On 17/2, approximately 10 skiers remained missing after an avalanche struck a group of 16 near Castle Peak. This area had received up to 76 cm of snow in the past 24 hours.

Duc Trung (Source: Yahoo News, KTLA, LA Times)