the wave of damaging storms that have blasted California for a week could culminate with the most brutal tempest yet when the latest "firehose of moisture" sweeps across the state Monday.
The National Weather Service said "atmospheric river events" will continue to batter California through early this week with the most potent system arriving on Monday. Additional rain on saturated soils will lead to considerable flooding, mudslides and burn scar debris flows, the weather service said.
Widespread mountain snow and high winds will add to weather issues across the state, the statement warned.
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"This could be a deadly situation and the storm will likely be a billion-dollar disaster," tweeted AccuWeather meteorologist Ariella Scalese. "Several more inches of rain, mudslides/landslides. In addition, feet of snow above 6,500 feet and wind gusts exceeding 100 mph."
TODDLER DIES: California storm victims include 2-year-old boy
Latest developments:
►More than 440,000 homes and businesses across California were without power Sunday.
►The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for a swath of Northern and Central California.
►Gov. Gavin Newsom will provide a storm update at a news briefing Sunday afternoon.
POWER OUTAGES DRAG ON: California struggles to keep lights on after storms leave thousands in dark