California braced for second storm

Northern California residents were braced for a second storm to hit the region tonight, a day after the first sent rivers flooding into cities and mud sliding into homes and on highways.

One man died yesterday when a storm-weakened eucalyptus tree toppled on to him, a woman suffered a broken leg when a mudslide destroyed her Santa Rosa home, and more than half a dozen people were rescued from raging waters.

The Russian River near the Sonoma County town of Guerneville was a concern overnight, with waters quickly rising. The river was expected to crest at 45ft - 13ft above flood level.

“We are just very strongly recommending that people living in the lower areas lock up everything and go to higher ground,” said Linda Eubanks of Sonoma County’s Office of Emergency Services.

High-water buses were sent to pick up voluntary evacuees, but many chose to remain and ring in the New Year.

The storm dumped an average of 4-5in in Northern California, with some areas recording more than 7in, according to the National Weather Service.

Tonight’s storm is expected to drop another 2in in Northern California, up to 4in in Southern California’s coastal valley and 8in in the mountains, forecasters said.

“It’s looking pretty powerful,” said NWS weather specialist Bonnie Bartling.

Yesterday, there were at least six helicopter rescues in Sonoma County.

In the city of Napa, near the heart of wine country, the river rose 5ft above flood level, sending a surge of water to several blocks.

“We had so much water in such a short amount of time that manhole covers were popping all over the city,” city councillor James Krider said.

Upstream in St Helena, the Napa River reached a record 7ft above flood stage before beginning to recede late last night. About 1,000 homes flooded, officials estimated.

The weather also caused mudslides that closed major motorways. Early today, more than 110,000 households remain without power.