Life in California often requires navigating the edges of natural beauty and natural disaster. On the fifth anniversary of a catastrophe, residents had to flee again.
Hundreds of homes in the Santa Cruz region were damaged by flooding and wind. Weary residents are steeling themselves for even worse conditions this week.
Heavy rain and snow caused landslides and flooding in parts of California over the weekend, shutting down two major highways as another “atmospheric river” system pounded the West Coast, but also brought a measure of relief to the drought-plagued state.
Fiona knocked out power to most of Puerto Rico and set off mudslides in the Dominican Republic on Monday. It is expected to pass near the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday.
The monsoon-like rains, unusual for the typical dry season in the region, have killed more than 50 people, caused heavy damage and shut down major roadways.
Record rainfall and mudslides forced closures just as tourism season ramped up. Virtually none of America’s national parks are untouched by extreme weather and climate change.
