California's Rainy Relief: Life and Loss After a Record-Breaking Storm

On Sunday, the Bay Area started to dry out after a fierce storm that left its mark. The storm, known as an atmospheric river, brought heavy rain and wind, sadly leading to a death in Sonoma County floodwaters. A man driving near the Russian River town of Rio Nido lost his life when his vehicle got stuck in the flood. Meteorologist Crystal Oudit from the National Weather Service said a drier low-pressure system took over after Friday's storm. The coast might get about an inch of rain on Sunday and Monday, but inland areas will see little rain. Saturday saw some sunshine peeking through cottony clouds. However, a narrow band of showers caused minor flooding in the East Bay and North Bay. The storm's strong winds toppled trees and power lines in the Oakland hills, cutting power to around 1, 000 customers. In Los Altos, the Foothill Expressway was closed to clear a large tree that fell at the Loyola Bridge. The storm hit hard, especially in Sonoma and Marin counties. Santa Rosa experienced a record-breaking 12. 45 inches of rain in just three days, which is roughly one-third of its yearly average. The National Weather Service considers this a once-in-1, 000-year event. Despite the tragedy, the rains brought life to Bay Area creeks. Chinook salmon were seen swimming upstream to spawn in Los Gatos Creek. These fish, also known as king salmon, start their life in Bay Area rivers, migrate to the San Francisco Bay as juveniles, adapt to saltwater, and return to their birthplace to spawn after three years. The weekend also marked the start of rainbow season. Beautiful multicolored arches appeared across the Bay Area, created by sunlight refracting through rain-soaked skies. While the storm brought some positives, like rainbows and salmon, it's a harsh reminder of nature's power. It's important to stay prepared and aware of potential hazards during such events.