Blizzards, tornadoes and now drought: US battles extreme weather 'emergency'
A major drought has been declared in America's most populous state as millions across the country face massive winter storms.
California drought takes toll on Yosemite National Park
Southern California has been forced to declare an emergency in response to extremely dry weather conditions despite the fact that massive storms are currently devastating large parts of the US. It comes as storms and tornadoes devastate large parts of the US. The decision to declare a drought emergency paves the way for potential mandatory water restrictions early next year that could impact 19 million people. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California provides water to 26 different agencies that supply major population centres like Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Meanwhile, Louisiana has seen a tornado rip through the state killing three and a snowstorm in northern California left citizens stranded in deep snow.
Related articles
It doesn't rain much in Southern California, so the district imports about half of its water from the Colorado River and the northern Sierra Nevada via the State Water Project — a complex system of dams, canals and reservoirs that provides drinking water for much of the state.
It's been so dry the past three years that those water deliveries have hit record lows.
UCLA climate cientist Daniel Swain has warned of a "hydroclimate whiplash" where one powerful storm only chips at the significant drought.
Swain said the jet stream pattern is currently “topsy-turvy” because of ridges of extreme high pressure in the Arctic, contributing to wider forecast variations than normal.
He added that reversing the state’s significant dryness in today’s warming climate is no longer just a matter of rain and snow.
Evaporative demand — or the amount of water lost from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere — is increasing as the state gets warmer and drier.
READ MORE: Tornadoes wreck havoc across Louisiana and southeast US leaving three dead
Earlier this year, the district declared a drought emergency for the agencies that mostly depend on the State Water Project, which covers about seven million people.
On Tuesday, the board voted to extend that declaration to cover all Southern California water agencies. They called on agencies to immediately reduce how much water they import.
By April, the board will decide whether to make those cuts mandatory if the drought continues. “Some Southern Californians may have felt somewhat protected from these extreme conditions over the past few years. They shouldn't anymore. We are all affected,” said Gloria D. Gray, chair of the Metropolitan Water District's Board.
It comes as other regions of the US have been battered by storms and tornadoes in recent days.
A tornado ripped through Louisiana on Tuesday, killing three people and injuring more than a dozen.
In an interview with CNN Gretna Mayor Belinda Constant said that Wednesday's severe weather was "worse than Hurricane Ida".
DON'T MISS
Amazon worker shot dead as colleague returns fire [LATEST]
Trump's grip on Republicans weakening, new poll suggests [INSIGHT]
Policeman killed by wild animal outside home [REPORT]
Scientists say climate change has contributed to sustained warmer and drier weather in the West, threatening water supplies.
UCLA climate cientist Daniel Swain has warned of a "hydroclimate whiplash" where one powerful storm only chips at the significant drought.
Swain said the jet stream pattern is currently “topsy-turvy” because of ridges of extreme high pressure in the Arctic, contributing to wider forecast variations than normal.
He added that reversing the state’s significant dryness in today’s warming climate is no longer just a matter of rain and snow.
Evaporative demand — or the amount of water lost from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere — is increasing as the state gets warmer and more dry.
READ MORE: Twitter account tracking Elon Musk's private jet suspended despite his 'free speech' claim
A 56-year-old woman "died after a tornado destroyed her home" in Killona around 30 miles from New Orleans, according to a tweet from the Louisiana Department of Health.
Officials from St. Charles Parish said that the identify of the women had yet to be released.
Far to the northwest, an area stretching from Montana into western Nebraska and Colorado was under blizzard warnings, and the National Weather Service said as much as two feet (0.6m) of snow was possible in some areas of western South Dakota and northwestern Nebraska.
Forecasters expect the storm system to batter the upper Midwest with ice, rain and snow for days, as well as move into the northeastern and central Appalachians.
Related articles
Residents from West Virginia to Vermont were also told to watch out for a possible significant mix of snow, ice and sleet, and the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch from Wednesday night through to Friday afternoon.
A tornado warning prompted the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to issue a "shelter in place" order on Tuesday morning, asking passengers to move away from windows, the airport announced on Twitter.
More than 1,000 flights into and out of airports in the area were delayed, and more than 100 were cancelled, according to the tracking service FlightAware.
In nearby Grapevine, police spokesperson Amanda McNew reported five confirmed injuries.
Images showed downed power lines on rain-soaked streets, as well as toppled trees, damaged buildings and a trailer that appeared to have been tossed around a car park.
