In the U.S. state of California, authorities have ordered thousands of people in several counties to evacuate after winter storms brought an “atmospheric river” of rain and snow to much of the state. 

San Francisco, January 10 (RHC)-- In the U.S. state of California, authorities have ordered thousands of people in several counties to evacuate after winter storms brought an “atmospheric river” of rain and snow to much of the state. 

Hardest hit was California’s Central Coast, where coastal communities faced flash flooding, landslides and power outages.  

The death toll from winter storms rose to at least 14 on Monday after two people were killed by falling trees. Some 8 million people in Los Angeles County were under a flash flood warning, while parts of Santa Barbara County received more than seven inches of rain over a span of just 12 hours. 

Forecasters predict more relentless rain will hit California over the coming week.