The death toll from California’s non-stop winter storms reached 18 on Wednesday as the state braces for another weekend of dangerous travel conditions, according to Axios.
Authorities confirmed the death of a 43-year-old woman in Sonoma County, Axios reported. She was found submerged in her car as flood waters plague many regions of the state.
The state has mobilized the National Guard to support ongoing recovery efforts. It has also joined in the search for a young boy who was washed away earlier in the week, the outlet continued.
Multiple rounds of heavy snow could create dangerous travel conditions Friday afternoon – next Tuesday. Mountain travel is highly discouraged this weekend! If you must travel, plan to be at your destination before 4pm Friday. Little break in snow is expected until Tuesday. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/UD2Mh23rzE
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) January 11, 2023
At least six atmospheric rivers have drenched the Golden State in the last three weeks, with three more expected in the coming week, the outlet noted.
California residents were warned to be at any travel destination no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday as multiple rounds of heavy snow may create dangerous travel conditions through next Tuesday, according to an update from the National Weather Service. Few, if any breaks from the snow are expected until at least Tuesday after starting on Friday afternoon. (RELATED: Check Out The National Weather Service’s Amazing Word Gymnastics Over California Drought Questions)
Areas of Central California have received more than half their annual precipitation in 16 days, NWS’s Prediction Center reported on Wednesday. More than 10 feet of snow has coated the Sierra Nevada mountains since Dec. 26, 2022, and some 37,500 people remained without power into early Thursday morning.