China News Agency, San Francisco, January 17 (Xinhua) US media reported on the 17th local time that the winter storm that lasted for about three weeks caused severe damage to many places in California and caused at least 20 deaths.

　　According to a report by the Associated Press on the 17th, starting from the end of 2022, nine consecutive "atmospheric rivers" have hit California, and some areas have encountered heavy rainfall once in a century.

The San Jose Mercury News reported that during the three weeks from December 26, 2022 to January 15 this year, the cumulative rainfall in downtown San Francisco reached 17 inches (about 43 centimeters), exceeding the local average for the same period by 5%. times, second only to the three-week rainfall record set in January 1862.

At the same time, the amount of water in the snowpack in the state's high-altitude areas is also significantly higher than the average for the same period.

　　The three-week-long storm killed at least 20 people in California and wreaked havoc across much of the state, reports said.

Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, said 41 of the state's 58 counties were affected.

More than 500 mudslides have occurred in California during the storm, and potentially thousands of structures have been marked as uninhabitable.

In some areas, flooding flooded roads and farmland, and a large number of fallen trees damaged power and other facilities.

According to California officials, the rebuilding funds needed in the state could exceed $1 billion.

US President Biden plans to go to the Central Coast of California on the 19th to learn about the disaster.

　　Three weeks of winter storms have improved drought conditions in California, the U.S. Drought Monitor said.

The two worst drought levels have been canceled for much of the state.

　　On the 17th, although there are still light rain and snow showers in some areas, and flood warnings in some areas are still in effect, most of California has bid farewell to rain and snow.

The US National Weather Service said that some areas of California are expected to have some precipitation on the 18th or 19th, but then there will be sunny weather.

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