San Francisco sees record rain as flooding shuts down highway

San Francisco experienced one of the wettest days on record as winter storms brought floods and heavy snow to California.

More than five inches of rain fell in downtown San Francisco on Saturday, setting a new daily record for the San Francisco Bay Area’s National Weather Service. Said.

The final day of the year is “running toward the wettest calendar day yet,” he said.As of 5 p.m. local time, downtown San Francisco had reported 5.45 inches of rain rice field. SaidThe current local record of 5.54 inches was set on November 5, 1994.

The city is only 900ths of an inch away from the local record for wet days, so “we’ll see how the western band of the city affects the totals,” the National Weather Service said. increase.

Widespread flooding hit the San Francisco area during record-breaking rainfall.

In South San Francisco, the California Highway Patrol temporarily closed Highway 101 in both directions at Oyster Point due to a “great flood” caused by unrelenting rainfall and storm surges. Roads were due to reopen by 5pm local time on Saturday, but remain closed indefinitely during the flood. Authorities said they were responding to submerged vehicles after the closure and urged drivers to avoid the area.

Fallen trees and landslides, also reported as atmospheric rivers (long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that carry large amounts of water vapor over the Pacific), brought heavy rain and snow to much of the state on Saturday.

The Bay Area’s National Weather Service has advised that flooding effects are likely to continue into Saturday night after the rain shifts south.

The National Weather Service in Sacramento also warned of flooding conditions in the area. The Sacramento County Emergency Services Department ordered residents of Wilton to evacuate early Saturday afternoon.

“Rising water levels have made roads in the area impassable,” the office said in its advisory.

Falling snow in the Sierra is expected to affect travel into the night, causing delays and smooth road conditions. “Avoid mountain trips if possible!” National Weather Service, Sacramento Said.