AccuWeather: Preliminary Damage and Loss from California Storms $9-$11B

The preliminary total damage and economic loss from the intense storms and record rainfall in California this week will be between $9 billion and $11 billion, according to AccuWeather estimates released on Monday.

The atmospheric river hit California Saturday and continued Monday, causing record rainfall, heavy snow, and high winds. The storm is still impacting the most heavily populated part of the state and has caused at least one death, as well as widespread power outages, major flooding, road closures, landslides and mudslides, downed trees, and damage to homes and businesses in highly developed and well populated areas, including some of the most expensive neighborhoods in the state, according to AccuWeather.

AccuWeather’s preliminary estimate may rise as the storm effects are continuing to be felt and some areas of the state have yet to report complete information about damage, injuries and other impacts.

The preliminary estimate largely accounts for damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure, facilities, roadways, and vehicles from both rain and snow, as well as more than 900,000 reported power outages at the height of the storm. There was also significant disruption and costs to businesses from travel impediments including blocked roads, train delays, flight cncellations, rerouting, and shipping interruptions.

The preliminary AccuWeather estimates reflects damage and negative impacts to the economy that have occurred through the end storm, as additional damage is expected to accrue as southern parts of the state continue to receive an onslaught of rain tonight, with lingering rain and gusty thunderstorms tomorrow, followed by showery weather continuing through Thursday, exacerbating flooding problems. As the storm travels to Arizona and Nevada, damage from flooding is possible in those areas as well.

Downtown Los Angeles, as of Monday afternoon, had already received more than 6 inches of rain from this storm with more than 10 inches in the mountains west of Los Angeles, making it one of the rainiest 2-day periods in Downtown L.A. history since 1877.

High winds buffeted parts of the state, downing trees and damaging structures. In the San Francisco area and nearby lower elevations, wind gusts of 60 to 85 mph were recorded with gusts over 100 mph in the mountains.