Super Storm aka "ARkStorm" Could Hit CA Fearmongering Theory

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Clouds of concern: Could super storm hit California?



By Amity Addrisi, Eyewitness News

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The U.S. Geological Survey recently held a summit in Sacramento to discuss the very real dangers of a storm that could devastate the state.

Kern County is not usually associated with severe weather. Occasionally, we have a big weather event like the record rainfall last month that caused widespread flooding. But, according to the USGS, those storms would be like a light sprinkle compared to what's being called an "ARkStorm."

Photos: Eyewitness News viewers capture last month's flooding >>

Eyewitness News wanted to find out more about this storm, so we went to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Hanford. Inside the facility, meteorologist are constantly watching the skies and are taking the idea of the ARkStorm very seriously.

"We would see a lot of flooding in the Central Valley, which would impact nearly every citizen," Warning coordination meteorologist James Brotherton said.

The "A" and "R" in ARkStorm stand for atmospheric river, where storm systems would tap into tropical moisture and create heavy rains lasting for weeks. Although Eyewitness News has covered the most severe weather in Kern County for the last 57 years, this storm would be on a whole new level.

The USGS uses the past to map out the possible mega-storm, comparing it to the great storm of 1862, when 45 days of rain flooded the state.

About 150 years later, almost 40 million people live in California and 6.5 million live right here in the Central Valley. These days, the storm could spell disaster to the tune of an estimated $725 billion in damages, not to mention the impact on human life.

But there is a slight silver lining to this story. Unlike an earthquake, the super storm is somewhat predictable. Meteorologists say they could have up two weeks of warning.

So, when might this super storm slam the West Coast? According to Eyewitness News Meteorologist Miles Muzio, geological records indicate there have been six such storms during the last 1,800 years, with the most recent being the storm 150 years ago.

Beyond that, timing is just speculation.

http://www.kval.com/news/national/114763859.html

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My mistake, they are just fearmongering a theory about this.


'Theoretical' storm could cause $300 billion in damage
By JESSE B. GILL, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/21/2011 09:47:45 PM PST

Residents in east San Bernardino woke up the morning of Dec. 22 to find several feet of mud blocking their streets and mud inside their homes on Bangor Avenue after a major storm hit the area in San Bernardino. (File photo by LaFONZO CARTER/Staff Photographer)

Most Californians know about "The Big One," the massive, theoretical earthquake that may - or may not - hit the state. But experts say California should be just as prepared for "The Other Big One," a massive storm that could deal just as much damage as the great quake.

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey unveiled a scenario last week describing a storm that could produce up to 10 feet of rain, overwhelm California's flood-protection system and cause more than $300billion in damage.

The storm, dubbed "ARkStorm Scenario," may never happen, but Californians should prepare for it so they aren't caught off-guard if it does, experts say.

The major storms that flooded parts of Highland and San Bernardino in December showed that San Bernardino County's infrastructure might not be able to handle the massive amounts of water the ARkStorm Scenario suggests, said Gary Sturdivan, safety and regulatory emergency director for the Highland-based East Valley Water District.

More: http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_17164513