A pier in Santa Cruz split in half. Extensive flooding in Soquel Village, Capitola and Planada. Vital bridges badly battered or closed. More than 500 reported mudslides across California in the last few weeks, including some that damaged homes and cars in L.A. hillside communities. The atmospheric river storms that pummeled California for weeks inflicted “extensive” […]
After the driest three years in the state’s modern history, California suddenly has a different problem on its hands: too much water. An ongoing series of storms drenching the state has forced officials to take measures unfathomable just a month ago, like releasing excess water from reservoirs and pumping surging river flows into storage.
Growing up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, Andrew Schwartz never missed an opportunity to play in – or study – a Colorado snowstorm. During major blizzards, he would traipse out into the icy wind and heavy drifts of snow pretending to be a scientist researching in Antarctica. Decades later, still armed with an obsession for extreme […]
Water authorities in the Western U.S. don’t have a crystal ball, but rapidly receding reservoirs uncovering sunken boats and other debris lost in their depths decades ago give a clear view of the hard choices ahead. If western states do not agree on a plan to safeguard the Colorado River — the source of the […]
The ninth atmospheric river in a three-week series of major winter storms was churning through California on Monday, leaving mountain driving dangerous and the flooding risk high near swollen rivers even as the sun came out in some areas. Heavy snow fell across the Sierra Nevada and the National Weather Service discouraged travel. Interstate 80, a key […]
The rain and snow storms that have pummeled California for weeks have taken nearly two dozen lives and caused billions of dollars in damages to public and private property. The flip side, however, is that they dropped immense amounts of water on a state that has suffered through severe drought for several years. At one […]
500 Mudslides, Flooded Communities, Broken Bridges: California Faces Long, Costly Storm Recovery
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Summer LinA pier in Santa Cruz split in half. Extensive flooding in Soquel Village, Capitola and Planada. Vital bridges badly battered or closed. More than 500 reported mudslides across California in the last few weeks, including some that damaged homes and cars in L.A. hillside communities. The atmospheric river storms that pummeled California for weeks inflicted “extensive” […]
Storms Force California to Look Harder at Capturing Rainfall to Ease Drought
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Politicoby Camille Von KaenelAfter the driest three years in the state’s modern history, California suddenly has a different problem on its hands: too much water. An ongoing series of storms drenching the state has forced officials to take measures unfathomable just a month ago, like releasing excess water from reservoirs and pumping surging river flows into storage.
In One of the Snowiest Places in the West, A Scientist Hunts for Clues to the Sierra Snowpack’s Future
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Water Education Foundationby Nick CahillGrowing up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, Andrew Schwartz never missed an opportunity to play in – or study – a Colorado snowstorm. During major blizzards, he would traipse out into the icy wind and heavy drifts of snow pretending to be a scientist researching in Antarctica. Decades later, still armed with an obsession for extreme […]
Water Managers Across Drought-Stricken West Agree on One Thing: ‘This is Going to be Painful’
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Nevada Current / AZ Mirror by Jennifer SolisWater authorities in the Western U.S. don’t have a crystal ball, but rapidly receding reservoirs uncovering sunken boats and other debris lost in their depths decades ago give a clear view of the hard choices ahead. If western states do not agree on a plan to safeguard the Colorado River — the source of the […]
More Rain, Snow in California From Ninth in Series of Storms
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AP Newsby Christopher WeberThe ninth atmospheric river in a three-week series of major winter storms was churning through California on Monday, leaving mountain driving dangerous and the flooding risk high near swollen rivers even as the sun came out in some areas. Heavy snow fell across the Sierra Nevada and the National Weather Service discouraged travel. Interstate 80, a key […]
Opinion: Storms Tell California to Upgrade its Plumbing
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Dan WaltersThe rain and snow storms that have pummeled California for weeks have taken nearly two dozen lives and caused billions of dollars in damages to public and private property. The flip side, however, is that they dropped immense amounts of water on a state that has suffered through severe drought for several years. At one […]