After nine stormy rivers and record rainfall, the president of the United States is heading to California on Thursday to see the storms’ devastation up close. President Joe Biden’s White House press office has yet to publicly announce the exact locations Biden will visit. But KRON4 has confirmed it will tour the areas hit hardest by the “march of storms” in Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County.
White House Press Officers stated this. “Tomorrow, President Biden will travel to areas in California affected by the recent severe weather. Stops include Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, where storms caused severe flooding and landslides. The President will meet with first responders, local officials, and communities affected by the destruction.
Biden will also survey recovery efforts and assess what additional federal support is needed for reconstruction and recovery. “The president has been closely monitoring the situation in California over the past several weeks. He has been regularly briefed by his homeland security team. During this time, he has been in close contact with the governor,” the White House Press Office wrote.
Biden will travel with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and meet with Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday. , Biden approved Gov. Newsom’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration that would provide federal support for emergency rescue operations and individual assistance to survivors whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the storm.
“And we have over 500 FEMA and other federal personnel to support response and recovery operations.” “already deployed to California,” the White House Press Office wrote. The sand artist brings moments of Zen to the storm-ravaged coast expressed. Along the coast, the ocean swelled with 35-foot waves, and extreme tides inundated beach homes and popular restaurants, as well as destroyed two piers.
The rural south of the county was also hit hard, with creeks and streams overflowing into agricultural fields. The FAA will implement temporary flight restrictions Thursday morning to clear airspace for Air Force One. Pilots are restricted from flying in and out of San Jose and Watsonville airports during certain hours. The air space is usually protected by F-15C military fighter jets for presidents.
When then-President Barack Obama flew Air Force One over Santa Cruz 12 years ago, military fighter jets intercepted and escorted several small private planes that entered the no-fly zone. 600 landslides in California in less than 3 weeks. Windy and wet storms battered the west coast for two weeks and caused significant flooding, downed trees, and landslides.
More than 22 inches of rain drenched Santa Cruz County this winter. On Tuesday, the California Geological Survey released a map of the 600 landslides recorded across the state since December 30, 2022. Beyond the destruction, January rainstorms are also deadly. State officials have confirmed that at least 20 people have lost their lives in storm-related incidents, including drownings, lightning strikes, and downed trees.