Home / Disasters and Accidents / California's Mountains Buried, Cities Flooded
California's Mountains Buried, Cities Flooded
5 Jan
Summary
- Several inches of snow fell on Northern California mountains.
- Sacramento region experienced significant flooding from rainfall.
- Travel in mountain areas was discouraged due to heavy snow and wind.
Northern California experienced a dramatic weather shift during the first weekend of January 2026. Mountainous areas received a significant snowfall, with resorts like Palisades Tahoe reporting up to 14 inches of powder. Gusty winds accompanied the snow above 5,000 feet, prompting advisories for travelers to postpone plans.
In contrast, the Sacramento region endured heavy rainfall, with accumulations ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 inches. This led to substantial flooding on roadways. Emergency services responded to incidents, including a rescue operation where a person was saved from a vehicle submerged in floodwaters. Residents were reminded of the dangers of crossing closed roads.
Authorities distributed sandbags to help mitigate flood damage. The Winter Storm warning issued by the National Weather Service in Sacramento was in effect until Monday afternoon, highlighting the ongoing severe weather conditions across the region. The California Highway Patrol also reported heavy traffic and continued snowfall in mountain passes.
