A number of storms have ravaged the state of California in the past week.
The big city of Los Angeles is among the places affected and the damage is extensive. Now even more rainfall is expected this weekend and the mayor, Karen Bass, is declaring a state of emergency in the million city, writes CBS News.
The declaration, effective immediately, directs the city’s emergency services to take immediate steps to protect life and property.
At least 18 people have died in the storm that has ravaged the state this week. The storms have also caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
More than half of California’s 58 counties have been declared disaster areas, and repairing the damage could cost more than $1 billion, according to Brian Ferguson, spokesman for the state’s emergency services, writes Fox News LA.
The storm coming this weekend will not be as bad as the storm earlier this week, writes the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.
The city is still preparing for what could be a tough weekend.
– We have jet skis and boats ready to use to help people who are stuck, says Michael Gross of the fire service in Los Angeles.
He warns residents not to drive over roads that are flooded.
– Yesterday we rescued seven cars at Burbank Boulevard, who thought they could drive through flooded roads during the previous storm, says Gross.
Crews worked today to reopen several major freeways in Los Angeles that were closed due to rock slides or flooding.
