Well, the so-called “atmospheric river” has arrived, and with a vengeance. It’s like a rainstorm on steroids, with four to six inches of rain and or snow due on Monday, which will have already passed (or not) by the time you have read this.
Hopefully, it will not create another deadly mudslide like the one that killed 15 men, women and children in the 2003 Christmas Day mudslide in Waterman Canyon.
A prelude to this incoming storm occurred on Jan. 31, when the streets in Seal Beach, Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles were plagued with floodwater, which submerged dozens of vehicles driven by fools who dared to cross already flooded streets, and then had to abandon their cars and trucks thorough a window and swim to a safe shoreline. Yes, this is a strange sort of river that is attacking most of California.
There are voices in the mirror and there are faces at the door and they open on the rivers we’ve never seen before, and there are choices for the sparrow, or does he only fly high above the rivers, pulling you and I? There are strange rivers, rivers that you cannot see and there are strange rivers who know our destiny, there are strange rivers and we’re sailors, you and me. (“Strange Rivers” – John Stewart – 1987) Former Kingston Trio member John Stewart penned this song, which was also recorded by folksinger Joan Baez.
This atmospheric river – also referred to as a “Pineapple Express” due to its origin near Hawaii – has flowed its way some 2,500 miles here from southwest Oregon and has been drenching the West Coast for the past week, leading to flooding, as well as landslides, strong winds and mountain snow.
The National Weather Service, which issued a storm warning for much of California on Feb. 1, cautioned that flooding of rivers, creeks and streams is imminent or already occurring, with thunderstorms, hail and up to three feet of snow expected in mountain areas such as the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains.
Mountain area residents will likely need all-wheel-drive, snow tires and chains to traverse local roads and highways. The CHP advises all motorists to carry food, water and warm clothing, in case they get stuck in the snow.
Have you ever turned the corner and you wondered why you did ‘cause you haven’t been that way since you were a kid, and nothing really happened, but then you’ve got to say that you wonder what would have happened had you gone the other way, there are strange rivers, rivers that you cannot see, and there are strange rivers who know our destiny, and there are strange rivers and we’re all sailors, you and me.
Keep it flyin’,
Uncle Mott
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