Deadly floods close roads in northern California

Heavy rain caused flooding in parts of northern California on Sunday, Jan. 1, prompting road closures.

Images released by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) show flooding on Highway 99, which was

Video of the flooding on Highway 99 south of ⁦@CityofElkGrove⁩ this afternoon. 99 remains closed between Grant Line and Twin Cities Road. Use Interstate 5. ⁦@CHPSouthSac⁩ ⁦@CaltransHQ⁩ pic.twitter.com/7ZvE9VlZXk

— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) January 2, 2023

between Grant Line and Twin Cities Road.

The National Weather Service released a

Flash Flood Warning continues for Wilton CA until 11:00 AM PST pic.twitter.com/nWs0NyITqL

— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) January 1, 2023

for the region, and

We hope you're enjoying the sunny skies today because this may be the last sunny day for #NorCal for the next week. More storms will impact NorCal this week, a weaker one tomorrow - Tue & a much stronger one w/ renewed flooding concerns & heavy mountain snow Wed - Thu. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/6Z7mW0Z0YB

— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) January 1, 2023

rain would continue to impact northern California into the week.

Local media reported that one person died after being pulled from the water and another was found dead in his car in Sacramento County. Credit: California Department of Transportation via Storyful

Video transcript

STEVE NELSON: Good afternoon. It’s Steve Nelson in the [? Caltrans ?] District Three Public Information Office. I’m here on Highway 99 at Dillard Road, where it’s closed, of course, as you can see, due to flooding from the [? Kasimnus ?] River.

We closed it a little after midnight last night and don’t expect to open it until the water recedes, most likely tomorrow afternoon. So we have 99 closed in both directions, diverting vehicles to cross Interstate 5. If you can detour before you get to the closure, you’d be much better off. There is severe backing up, especially going north 99 at the detour.

So avoid the 99 if possible and don’t expect the freeway to be open anytime today. It’s the update here at 99 and Dillard Road. Thank you for watching.