U.S. President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for California Monday after strong rain storms brought severe damage.

California Governor Gavin Newsom requested the declaration Sunday and will now receive support from the Dept. of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) when needed to “save lives and protect property.”

“Our message to Californians is simple: be hyper-vigilant,” Newsom said Monday. “There are still several days of severe winter weather ahead and we need all Californians to be alert and heed the advice of emergency officials. Thanks to the President signing off on our request for emergency declaration, we are mobilizing all available resources at every level of government to protect lives and limit storm damage.”


As of Monday, there have been 12 deaths linked to the storm as severe flooding, mudslides and collapsed roadways have affected the majority of the state.

“We are in the middle of a deadly barrage of winter storms – and California is using every resource at its disposal to protect lives and limit damage,” Governor Newsom said. “We are taking the threat from these storms seriously, and want to make sure that Californians stay vigilant as more storms head our way.”

When Newsom turns in the state’s budget proposal Tuesday, he will do so with $202 million to be allocated toward flood protection measures.

Angelenos received flash flood warnings Monday afternoon, as the rain poured without pause into the night. The National Weather Service, Los Angeles issued a special weather statement to parts of Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Topanga, warning of possible water spouts off the coast.

LAX was also affected by the intense rain storms, having all departing flights grounded for several hours and dozens of flights delayed into the midnight hour.


The storm is expected to carry into Tuesday, with flood warnings continuing and the NWS alerting Angelenos of possible 60 mph winds in the foothill areas. They also warned residents to expect additional issues regarding power lines and fallen trees.

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