California storms updates: Woman found dead in submerged in car

A series of deadly and destructive storms has led to flooding and power outages.

ByMorgan Winsor, Nadine El-Bawab, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: January 11, 2023, 8:10 PM EST

Dangerously stormy weather continues to wallop California, drenching the drought-stricken state with a sudden and near constant onslaught of rain and snow, leaving a trail of destruction.

The National Weather Service has warned of a "relentless parade of atmospheric rivers" in the West Coast over the coming week. President Joe Biden has issued an emergency declaration for California, while local authorities have ordered thousands of residents to evacuate.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 11, 2023, 2:39 PM EST

Costs of natural gas skyrocket in California due to storms, supply issues

Due to recent storms, inventory and supply issues, the cost of natural gas in California is skyrocketing.

"An unprecedented cold snap across the nation in part has caused natural gas market prices in the West to more than double between December and January – much higher than expected," utility provider SoCal Gas said in an email to customers.

"SoCalGas residential customers can expect the typical January bill likely to be more than double the typical bill last January, assuming the same amount of natural gas is used," it added.

-ABC News's David Herndon

Jan 11, 2023, 9:58 AM EST

Dramatic images show devastation in California

Rivers for roads, fallen trees, massive sinkholes, homes underwater: these images show just some of the widespread devastation left behind by the recent storms in California.

This aerial view shows a flooded neighborhood in Merced, Calif, Jan. 10, 2023.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

A drone view of a tree that fell during a winter storm with high winds in Sacramento, Calif, Jan. 8, 2023.
Fred Greaves/Reuters

Several people had to be rescued after two vehichles fell into a sinkhole in Chatsworth, Calif., Jan. 10, 2023.
David Swanson/Reuters

A flooded house is seen partially underwater in Gilroy, Calif, Jan. 09, 2023.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

This aerial view shows cars driving through a flooded roadway in Planada, Calif, as an "atmospheric river" continues, Jan. 10, 2023.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Residents scramble to retrieve belongings before flood waters rise too high Merced, Calif, Jan. 10, 2023.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Local resident Fidel Osorio rescues a dog from a flooded home in Merced, Calif, Jan. 10, 2023.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News’ Moe Zoyari

Jan 11, 2023, 9:48 AM EST

West Coast to get over half a foot of rain

More than half of a foot of rainfall is in the forecast for the West Coast over the next week, from California to Washington state.

Some areas of California have already recorded 3 feet of rain since Christmas.

In the last two days, Ventura County counted 18.31 inches of rain, while Santa Barbara County got 17.17 inches and Los Angeles County 11.19 inches.

San Diego firefighters help Humberto Maciel rescue his dog from his flooded home in Merced, Calif, Jan. 10, 2023.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Meanwhile, some areas in the Sierra Nevada mountain range are at 257% of normal for snowfall to date.

Northern California’s reservoirs are also filling up quickly. As of Wednesday morning, Shasta Lake was at 41% of capacity or 67% of the average storage for this date; Lake Oroville was at 46% of capacity or 85% of average storage for the date; and Folsom Lake was at 42% of capacity or 100% of the average storage for the date.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

Jan 11, 2023, 9:34 AM EST

Nevada skier dies in avalanche

A back-country skier died in Nevada’s Spring Mountains on Monday after getting caught in an avalanche, authorities said.

The victim was identified as Punan Zhou, 32, of Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Zhou was among a group of five skiing in an unmaintained area of Mummy Mountain, the second-highest peak of the Spring Mountains, located near Las Vegas within the Mount Charleston Wilderness Area and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. A slope gave way and swept Zhou about 500 feet down the mountain, police said.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the area on Monday.

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