A powerful storm

hit the state of California in the USA

, due to which thousands of people were evacuated, the main roads were closed.

Currently, at least 19 people are known to have died, and there are still others missing.     

The BBC writes about it.

At least 19 people have died in the storms, which began in late December.

A five-year-old boy is still considered missing.

A mother and son were trapped on their way to school.

The storm caused streets to turn into rivers, trees toppled, homes without power, rivers overflowing their banks and major roads closed as the storm produced strong winds and torrential downpours. 

In central California, heavy downpours caused significant flooding, mudslides and debris flows, prompting residents to evacuate.

In particular, the community of Montecito in Santa Barbara County was ordered to evacuate Monday, along with residents of parts of Carpinteria, Summerland and the city of Santa Barbara. 

US President Joe Biden ordered federal aid to Sacramento, Merced and Santa Cruz counties in the state of California.

NASA climate scientist Kimberly Raine Miner says the problem with so many huge storms back-to-back is that the ground is already saturated and can't absorb the amount of water that falls quickly.

We remind you that

ski resorts are closing in Europe

.

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