Biden declares emergency for US state

Days of intense storms in California have left at least 12 people dead and hundreds of thousands of residents without power

US President Joe Biden has authorized an emergency declaration for the state of California, which has been pounded by deadly winter storms for more than a week, resulting in flooding, widespread power outages and even fatalities.

Biden announced the decision on Monday, noting that federal assistance had been approved to respond to “severe winter storms, flooding, and mudslides” in California and to “lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe” in the worst-affected areas. Disaster relief efforts will be coordinated under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Local authorities and residents have shared images purporting to show the aftermath of more than a week of inclement weather, including significant flooding in urban areas and one potentially deadly rockslide along a roadway.

EXTREME CAUTION
STATE ROUTE 168 CLOSED at top and bottom of 4-lane.

See dramatic video from @ChpFresno Officer.

Avoid travel to Shaver Lake and above if at all possible!⚠️ @ABC30 @KSEE24 @KMPHFOX26 @CBS47 @FresnoBee @FresnoSheriff @CaltransDist6 @Cal_OES pic.twitter.com/0B2Qqgm85z

— CHP Fresno (@ChpFresno) January 9, 2023

Earlier this morning, this is what it was like #Californiastorm #BassLake