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News Articles: California flooding

Pipes direct water into an irrigation project held by the University of California. After a few decades of not enough water California water officials are scrambling to catch as much of this year's floodwaters as they can.

California wants to store floodwaters underground. It's harder than it sounds

Even during epic floods, California is trying to prepare for the next drought by capturing water from this year's epic winter storms.

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By:
  • Nathan Rott and
  • Claire Harbage
In California's Central Valley, a long-disappeared lake has been resurrected. A power line dangles precariously over the edge of the water now filling the Tulare Lake Basin, and a building on the horizon is caught in the middle of the flood.

California's epic snowpack is melting. Here's what to expect

Warmer temperatures are melting the state's historic snowpack. Already flooded communities downstream are scrambling to prepare for the surge.

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By:
  • Nathan Rott and
  • Claire Harbage
GPB News NPR

The latest to be evacuated from California's floods? Bunnies

Rising rivers are stranding endangered riparian brush rabbits in California. Wildlife officials are searching out and relocating hundreds of them to help protect the species.

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By:
  • Lauren Sommer
Roads and infrastructure are increasing being overwhelmed by heavier rainfall, like the California Central Valley town of Planada in January. Most states still aren't designing water systems for heavier storms.

Federal climate forecasts could help prepare for extreme rain. But it's years away

Thanks to a new federal law, cities will get better forecasts about how climate change intensifies rainstorms. Still, it won't be in time for billions of dollars of federal infrastructure spending.

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By:
  • Lauren Sommer
Most reservoirs aren't allowed to fill up in the winter, but Folsom Reservoir outside of Sacramento, California is using a new strategy to save more water by using weather forecasts.

Heavy rain is still hitting California. A few reservoirs figured out how to capture more for drought

Decades-old rules mean most reservoirs aren't allowed to fill up in the winter. A new approach using weather forecasts is helping some save more water to help with California's drought.

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By:
  • Lauren Sommer
A house is partially underwater in Gilroy, Calif., on Monday.

A 5-year-old was swept away by floodwaters as California's heavy storms continue

More than 200,000 residents are without power and thousands were ordered to evacuate after another powerful storm battered California on Monday. The death toll from recent storms is now up to 14.

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By:
  • Emily Olson