Dead person found trapped in car amid severe flooding in California
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The National Weather Service reported the existence of a powerful storm system that will produce heavy snowfall in the mountains, gusts of wind and heavy rain. California experienced severe flooding this weekend
A person was found dead in his vehicle in California after a winter storm brought flooding and heavy snow to the state, a Sacramento Metro Fire spokesman confirmed.
Sacramento Metro Fire confirmed that the body was recovered from his flooded vehicle in the southernmost part of Sacramento County , near the city of Elk Grove.
The identity and cause of death of the deceased have not been confirmed pending examination by a coroner, according to authorities.
Copter 1 is heading back out to assist our region. pic.twitter.com/AZF6JnUwyd
— Metro Fire of Sacramento (@metrofirepio) January 1, 2023
The Sacramento National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for the area , urging drivers to stay off the road.
Levee breaches in several places caused flooding in the area, said Sacramento Metro Fire Captain and Public Information Officer Parker Wilbourn.
According to ABC News reports, the Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services ordered Wilton residents to shelter in place Saturday afternoon.
“Increased water has made roads impassable in the area,” the office said in a notice.
According to Caltrans District 3, which maintains the state highway system in 11 Northern California counties, a highway near Elk Grove was closed due to flooding from the Cosumnes River.
In Sacramento County, several rivers began to overflow their banks, according to the National Weather Service, and thousands of residents in municipalities like Wilton had to leave their homes due to the risk of flooding.
Two more storms are expected over the next week in Northern California, with the second storm scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, possibly causing flooding in the area, according to NWS Sacramento.
More than 5 inches of rain fell in downtown San Francisco on Saturday, setting a new daily record, the National Weather Service for the San Francisco Bay Area said.