Biden Grants California Emergency Assistance as New Storm Hits

U.S. President Joe Biden briefly addresses journalists moments before departing from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on March 3, 2023, as he travels to Wilmington, Delaware. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden, who was scheduled to visit California next week, granted the storm-weary state an emergency declaration March 10, the second one this year.

Gov. Gavin Newsom requested federal assistance as another series of atmospheric river storms began dumping rain and snow across the state. He also advised Californians to prepare emergency supplies as the wet and snowy weather is expected to continue into next week.

“California is deploying every tool we have to protect communities from the relentless and deadly storms battering our state,” Newsom said in a statement. “In these dangerous and challenging conditions, it is crucial that Californians remain vigilant and follow all guidance from local emergency responders.”

A homeless man walks by a gas station during a rainstorm in Sacramento on March 9, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

The emergency declaration will allow impacted counties to receive disaster relief efforts coordinated by federal agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA is authorized to mobilize and provide equipment and resources to assist storm victims.

Newsom recommended residents store enough food and water to last for three days and call 2-1-1 or 3-1-1 to get help during the storms. Residents can also visit CalAlerts.org to receive alerts from county officials.

Californians were also asked to avoid non-essential travel and plan for power outages and floods.

Three storm systems that started in late February are expected to soak the state through at least mid-March.

“The atmospheric river is not letting up. That means the flood risk in the west is not going to let up through the weekend, as well,” Domenica Davis, meteorologist with the Weather Channel, said Friday. “All this moisture that’s coming in from the Pacific Ocean is going to continue to bring in rounds of rain.”

Vehicles drive through winter storm rains on Interstate 5 in Los Angeles, on Feb. 24, 2023. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Heavy rainfall and gusty winds began to drench parts of northern and central California Friday. Southern California was expected to get a break from the storm this weekend before the next round arrives Tuesday, Davis said.

Los Angeles could get up to 2 inches of rain while as much as 5 inches is expected in San Francisco. Forecasters predicted up to 10 inches for parts of the central coastal region.

The storm could also dump up to 5 inches of snow at Mount Shasta and 2 feet in Markleeville, just south of Lake Tahoe, and the Mammoth Lakes region.

Biden approved Newsom’s first emergency declaration request Jan. 8 as successive and severe storms struck the Golden State.