Joe Biden declares emergency in California after severe winter weather
The US president Joe Biden has declared in emergency in California after the state was hit by severe winter weather.
There were thunderstorms, snow and powerful winds in California on Sunday, with the National Weather Service warning of a “relentless parade of atmospheric rivers” – storms consisting of long plumes of moisture stretching out into the Pacific.
Gavin Newsom, the governor, said 12 people had been killed as a result of the violent weather in the past 10 days.
More than 120,000 homes in California were left without power early on Monday, according to data from PowerOutage.us.
Last week’s storms disrupted road travel with flash floods, rock slides and toppled trees.
Mr Biden’s declaration authorises the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and mobilise emergency resources, the White House said.
