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Power Outages Here, Flood Warnings
03:10 PM - Aug 21, 2003

We’ve got quite a storm passing through California’s central valley right now with an alert just issued for possible localized flooding—Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto areas. Over 20,000 people have no power as a result, lightning has struck in places causing fires, and there have been quite a few car accidents. With the heavy downpours our streams and creeks that meander throughout the areas are filling up, resulting in a flood warning just being issued. In other words, it’s a little crazy in my neck of the woods at the moment.

I’ve lived in the Sacramento area my entire life and we rarely have any rain at all throughout the summer, so this storm is quite a surprise. My lights have flickered here in Carmichael, but I still have power. Nonetheless I’m headed to my cabinet with the “Lights Out” supplies.

[Screenshot image: Sacramento area storm 3pm, August 21, 2003 3:00pm, as followed by the National Weather Service, Sacramento]

Here’s the weather warning info:

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Special Weather Statement

Urban And Small Stream Flood Advisory

SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY-

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SACRAMENTO CA

300 PM PDT THU AUG 21 2003

NOW... AT 300 PM...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM WITH HEAVY RAIN IN CENTRAL SACRAMENTO. THE THUNDERSTORM IS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH AND IS PRODUCING LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS AT THE STATE FAIR SHOULD TAKE COVER FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT HOUR THROUGH 4PM. MINOR URBAN FLOODING IS POSSIBLE IN MANY LOCATIONS THIS AFTERNOON. IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS...MOVE TO A PLACE OF SHELTER IMMEDIATELY IF A STORM APPROACHES. MOTORISTS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR REDUCED VISIBILITIES DURING DOWNPOURS OF RAIN. POWELL

Ah yes, and I forgot about all those at the California State Fair right now. That should be interesting...

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