In heavy rain the body of victim, Jeff Dye, a volunteer with the Fillmore Mountain Search and Rescue Team is transported from the scene of a fatal accident Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, near Pyramid Lake, Calif. A minivan carrying a family was traveling too fast for the wet conditions on Interstate 5, lost control and plowed into members of the team, Los Angeles County fire Capt. Tony Imbrenda said. Nine people were transported to hospitals, including three members of the team. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via AP)
Republished February 03, 2019 - 2:37 PM
Original Publication Date February 03, 2019 - 12:21 PM
SAN FRANCISCO - The Latest on the winter storm hitting California (all times local):
12 p.m.
A forecast of more snow and intense winds in the Sierra Nevada mountains has prompted authorities to issue blizzard and avalanche warnings and say that conditions could become "life-threatening."
A winter storm sweeping across California and Nevada has dumped as much as 8 feet (2.4 metres) of snow over the past two days. Much more is expected over the next two days.
The National Weather Service says 8 feet (2.4 metres) fell at the June Mountain Ski resort north of Mammoth Lakes and up to 3 feet (0.9 metres) were reported in the resorts around Lake Tahoe since Friday.
Forecasters say a blizzard from Sunday night to Monday night could bring another 8 feet (2.4 metres) of snow to the highest elevations, and light snow down to the foothills.
The weather service warned people to stay indoors until the snow and winds subside.
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10 a.m.
Residents who were ordered to evacuate over fear of mudslides in Santa Barbara County are being allowed to return home.
The sheriff's office lifted evacuation orders Sunday morning after the National Weather Service advised that heavy rain predicted for areas near three wildfire burn scars didn't materialize.
Evacuations were ordered or recommended on Friday for neighbourhoods near the Thomas, Whittier and Sherpa fire scars.
Authorities said showers were expected through Tuesday, but the rain wasn't expected to be heavy enough to cause debris flows.
More than a year ago, a downpour on the huge Thomas Fire burn scar unleashed a massive debris flow destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes in the seaside community of Montecito. The disaster killed 21 people and two others have never been found.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019