# California Storm Watch - Stay Safe \[early Feb, 2024\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 4, 2024, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083 "2024-02-04T02:37:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/1 "2024-02-04T02:37:07Z")
A massive storm is about to hit us and we are preparing for flooding and highway closures. Hardest hit is expected to Santa Barbara (where I am) and Ventura Counties. Drizzle is starting here but the heaviest downpour is expected between sunrise on Sunday though noon on Monday. Schools are closed on Monday as a precaution. Flood prone neighborhoods are under voluntary evacuation. I am well enough provisioned but I heard that Costco and the grocery stores were early Covid level busy. Luckily there has been plenty of warning and they were well stocked. It was an extraordinarily beautiful day today. You’d never know what was coming. (This could potentially be serious. Can we please avoid the ignorant Californians don’t know “real weather” dumbfuckery? Our geography and infrastructure aren’t built for this). ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/2 "2024-02-04T02:50:44Z")
Where I live in So Cal, the last couple of days already brought a significant amount of rain from an earlier storm. This doesn’t bode well for the days ahead. I love rain, but not really looking forward to this. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/3 "2024-02-04T02:54:48Z")
That other storm shut down downtown Santa Barbara for the better part of a day. That was a baby compared to what is supposedly coming. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/4 "2024-02-04T02:55:19Z")
Will this help re-fill water reservoirs? I am not sure where California is on recovering from drought. That won’t help damage caused by the rain but may be a small silver lining. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/5 "2024-02-04T02:57:26Z")
After the last couple of years, there is no part of California that is in a drought condition. Our local reservoir is already full. Others in the state may be in need of a top off but most are probably brimming. It would be nice if nature spaced things out better. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/6 "2024-02-04T03:14:32Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Will this help re-fill water reservoirs? I am not sure where California is on recovering from drought. The drought is gone. But that doesnt mean the rain isnt welcome. > [@hajario](#): > > It would be nice if nature spaced things out better. Yep. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/7 "2024-02-04T03:17:30Z")
Here in the South Bay, the length of the intense rain has kept shrinking. It was originally almost a full week of heavy rain, now it is two days. We’ll see what shakes out. It’s nowhere near the weather of the El Niños of the 80’s and early 90’s. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/8 "2024-02-04T03:28:20Z")
Sending protective thoughts out west. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/9 "2024-02-04T03:44:30Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > After the last couple of years, there is no part of California that is in a drought condition Right, though we are starting to dry out slightly on the edges: [https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CA](https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CA) The main problem at the moment is the snowpack, which is in rough shape - most of the rain this year has hit the coast and the storms have mostly been warm. There has been relatively little activity in the Sierras. This storm should change that, hopefully in a big way. Despite the chaos and damage this one is likely to do, we do kinda need that. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/10 "2024-02-04T03:49:56Z")
We’re on flood watch and high wind warning in Sacramento, about two hours inland from the coast. I know it’s going to be worse in coastal areas. We have similar timing, too. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/11 "2024-02-04T04:18:57Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Our geography and infrastructure aren’t built for this Almost nobody’s infrastructure is built for serious flooding. Good luck, hajario, and stay safe. Also to everyone else out there. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/12 "2024-02-04T04:38:33Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Almost nobody’s infrastructure is built for serious flooding. Indeed. Chicago (where I live) embarked on a project called the [“Deep Tunnel Project”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_and_Reservoir_Plan) to help mitigate flooding in Chicago. They started the project in 1975. Expected completion is 2029. Yeah…it’s that big. Over 100 miles of tunnels. And some say it is not enough/doesn’t work well enough. My point being, even such a colossal and expensive project that takes 50+ years to build is not necessarily enough. This is not the dumbfuckery mentioned in the OP. I am noting that even with extreme measures it may not be enough. Most cities will never come close to such efforts. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/13 "2024-02-04T05:07:09Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Almost nobody’s infrastructure is built for serious flooding. Yes but we flood with much less rain ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/14 "2024-02-04T05:12:11Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > This is not the dumbfuckery mentioned in the OP. I am noting that even with extreme measures it may not be enough. Most cities will never come close to such efforts. It’s not in any way. I was thinking along the lines of “nine inches of rain in a week. lol. We get that much in a hour in Florida” ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/15 "2024-02-04T05:49:03Z")
FWIW: > **[37 million at risk for flooding from blockbuster California rainstorm](https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/38-million-face-flooding-from-blockbuster-rainstorm-in-california/1618504)** > > The second and stronger storm of a one-two punch will blast California with torrential rain, flooding and feet of snow. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/16 "2024-02-04T06:37:38Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Yes but we flood with much less rain Because of its unique geography, California has numerous mountain ranges, both North-South and East-West that form dramatic watersheds which are prone to flooding and mudflows. Flooding off of the Coast Ranges is particularly severe because of the steepness of the mountains (despite their relatively modest peak heights) and because there is little land to absorb or mediate the flow between the ranges and coast. The Santa Ynez mountains are particularly prone to creating high flooding events into the area between Ventura and Santa Barbara. Reservoirs are designed and only capable of buffering the water from snowmelt of ‘normal’ accumulation from the mountains; no reservoir can capture the volume of prompt rainfall that comes from a large ‘atmospheric river’, and the 2024 El Nino event is predicted to produce record amounts of water vapor and precipitation. Good luck and be safe. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/17 "2024-02-04T06:57:55Z")
Will there be mudslides and all that? Those always look scary as heck. Good luck y’all. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/18 "2024-02-04T07:44:48Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Because of its unique geography Correct. The mountains of Santa Barbara are only a few miles from the ocean. There are lots of creeks but they get overwhelmed. A few of the streets near the highway are a couple of feet below sea level and the pumps can only do so much so you are guaranteed flooding. My neighborhood is in a valley and my house is near the bottom of it. I am in a Federal flood plane so am required by my mortgage holder to carry flood insurance. It is literally impossible for my neighborhood to flood because it all funnels down to a massive creek which emptied into the ocean less than half a mile away. Yet I still have to pay, not that I am bitter. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/19 "2024-02-04T07:49:27Z")
Meanwhile, it’s not raining at all at the moment. It was drizzling earlier when I went downtown for a show at my favorite club. Any time now… ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/20 "2024-02-04T07:49:39Z")
Looks like the central part of the state is getting hammered right now. Stay safe, guys. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083.md?page=2)