SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- A series of fierce storms that battered California over the weekend dramatically boosted the state's available water, essentially doubling the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains, officials said Monday.
Before the storms, state hydrologists measured the snowpack on Thursday at around 61 percent of average for this time of year. By Monday, the snowpack was at 111 percent of normal, said Elissa Lynn, senior meteorologist with the state Department of Water Resources.
The Sierra snowpack acts as a massive frozen reservoir for the state, releasing water in spring and summer for cities and farmers.
Rain and snow are in the forecast for later in the week, but ``we're not expecting anything like last week,'' said National Weather Service forecaster Diana Henderson.
About 100,000 homes and businesses in the northern and central parts of the state were still without power Monday. In the snowy Sierra foothills, repair crews had to use snowshoes, all-terrain vehicles and helicopters to reach the most remote spots.
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Flood warnings from the Red Cross include:
· Do not try to walk, swim or drive in flood water;
· Stay away from underpasses, which can fill rapidly with water;
· If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Audio on Demand:
Oakland Mudslide Victims: KCBS' Bob Melrose reports from Oakland (1/7)
Sacramento Area Outages: Reporter Nikki Midoro (1/7)
Continuing Power Outages: KCBS’ Holly Quan Reports (1/7)
PG&E's David Eisenhauer on the Continued Power Outages. (1/6)
Heavy Snow in the Sierras: KCBS’ Chris Filippi Reports (1/6)
PG&E’s David Eisenhower With a Power Restoration Update (1/6)
San Mateo Sandbag Stations Busy: KCBS’ Chris Filippi Reports (1/6)
Mopping up in Marin: KCBS’ Ron Naso Reports (1/5)
Mudslides in the Oakland Hills: KCBS’ Chris Filippi Reports (1/5)
A Forecast by CBS5’s Roberta Gonzales (1/5)
KCBS’ Margie Shafer: Storm Soaks SF Streets (1/4)
PG&E Spokeswoman Katie Romans on Outages (1/4)
KCBS Afternoon Team Coverage on Storm Watch ‘08 (1/4)
KCBS’ Holly Quan Reports on the Rush for Supplies in San Mateo (1/4)
KCBS’ Chris Filippi Reports Live From Half Moon Bay (1/4)
Ferry Service Up and Running Across the Bay (1/4)
Caltrans spokesman Bob Haus on Marin closure (1/4)
Rising Waters Call for Dramatic Rescues in San Jose (1/4)
New this afternoon: KCBS Storm Watch Team Coverage (1/4)
Storm cuts power to more than a quarter-million PG&E customers (1/4)
GG Bridge spokeswoman: iconic span weathers the storm (1/4)
Links:
National Weather Service
KCBS Weather
PG&E Storm Outage - 800-743-5002
Red Cross Winter Storm Resource
Check for weather-related traffic reports and flight delays
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