LOS ALAMITOS, CA — Heavy rain has hit many regions of California with various effects and changes as a result. Multiple power outages along with flash floods are becoming more prevalent than ever and residents of the area need to be keen.

Why is this happening?

This change in weather can be attributed to The Pineapple Express, which is an atmospheric river that circulates moisture build-up in the region around Hawaii. Then it sends the built-up rain straight into the West Coast.

In November, virtually all of California’s Central Valley was deemed to be in an “exceptional drought,” the U.S. Drought Monitor’s worst classification.

As of Thursday, March 30, California’s entire coastline was drought-free, and only a small section of the Central Valley was considered “abnormally dry.” More significant drought conditions still exist in the northeastern and southeastern areas of the state says Iman Palm from KTLA.

Tornadoes?

Tornadoes are exceptionally rare in California with around 11 per year. Tornadoes seen in the Mid-West region of the United States are usually characterized as landspouts or waterspouts. Lands-pouts start on dry land with air rotating near the surface. Waterspouts are the same thing but over water. With all of the heavy rain in California, waterspouts began appearing.

Power Outages:

In our region of Orange County, the heavy rain has caused mass power outages in heavily populated towns and cities. These outages are usually be fixed by a crew within three hours but may take longer depending on the situation. In an interview with a local resident of the city of Los Alamitos, she discusses how the power outages have affected her.

“Outages are pretty uncommon around here… It’s a little annoying because I can’t use some appliances, but the rain’s going away so it should slow down” said Cara, a Los Alamitos Resident.

The Future:

As of late, the rain has started to go away and warmer weather is in view; California is returning back to normal and Summer temperatures are on the horizon.