Deadly Flooding Closes Roads in Northern California

Heavy rainfall brought flooding to parts of Northern California on Sunday, January 1, prompting road closures.

Footage released by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) shows flooding on Highway 99, which was closed between Grant Line and Twin Cities Road.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the area, and said rain would continue to impact Northern California into the week.

Local media reported one person died after being pulled from the water and another was found dead in their car in Sacramento County. Credit: California Department of Transportation via Storyful

Video Transcript

STEVE NELSON: Good afternoon. This is Steve Nelson in the [? Caltrans ?] District Three Public Information Office. I'm here on Highway 99, at Dillard Road, where it is closed, obviously, as you can see, due to the flooding of the [? Kasimnus ?] River.

We closed it a little after midnight, last night, and we don't expect to open it until the water recedes, tomorrow afternoon, most likely. So we have 99 closed in both directions, detouring vehicles off to cross over to Interstate 5. If you can detour before you get up to the closure, you'd be much better off. There's a severe backup, especially northbound 99 at the detour.

So avoid 99 if at all possible, and don't expect the highway to be open any time today. That's the update up here, at 99 and Dillard Road. Thanks for watching.