An atmospheric river sweeping through California has prompted the National Weather Service to issue flood watches for vast portions of the state, including the North Bay, North Coast, and Sacramento Valley.

Millions of residents are now facing heightened flood risk, as intensified storm activity threatens vulnerable communities with flash flooding and property damage.

Newsweek contacted the National Weather Service for more information.

Why It Matters

About 1.4 million Californians live in areas with a high likelihood of annual flooding, according to the California Department of Water Resources. These risks are escalating with more severe storms fueled by climate change, raising the stakes for infrastructure planning and emergency preparedness.

What To Know

The latest data from

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