Free Republic

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Monday in seven northern and central California counties, a move aimed at putting more resources into protecting the state’s waterlogged levy system. The governor’s declaration said that with more rain expected after the rainiest March on record, people and property are in "extreme peril." State water officials fear the heavy rain could weaken some levees to the point of failure. They took advantage of a weekend lull in the storms to patch some weak spots in the system but were still concerned. Levee repairs are typically done in the summer, when the...

California residents urged to leave home ahead of storm Counties ripe for worst flooding in years, forecasters say Saturday, December 31, 2005; Posted: 9:55 a.m. EST (14:55 GMT) SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- A powerful storm plowed through Northern California on Saturday, causing mudslides and widespread flooding and snarling holiday traffic from Sonoma to Monterey. Evacuations were encouraged along the Napa River and hillside homeowners were urged to collect valuables, gather emergency supplies and identify escape routes. Nearly all small creeks and streams in Sonoma County had overflowed their banks, closing some roads. Firefighters in the Sonoma area rescued two...