Powerful 'atmospheric river' storm continues to batter US state of California

​​​​​​​By Darren Lyn

HOUSTON, United States (AA) - A powerful winter storm continues to batter the state of California on Tuesday with torrential rains, heavy snow and damaging winds, triggering flash flood watches for millions of residents.

"A Pacific storm with atmospheric river will continue periods of heavy rain, mountain snow, and strong winds across much of California," the National Weather Service said in a statement. "Considerable flash, urban, and small stream flooding impacts are possible."

Emergency officials have been conducting rescue efforts for those whose vehicles were submerged by floodwaters. One man was rescued after he was found clinging to a tree trying to escape rising waters.

Weather officials said the storm could produce between 5 - 8 inches (12 to 20 centimeters) of rain in the next 24 hours in addition to 60-mile per hour winds, which could trigger mudslides and power outages.

The storm has already drenched parts of California with some areas receiving 8 to 11 inches of rain in the last three days.

Forecasters said Los Angeles is just 2 inches shy of having its wettest February on record after another "atmospheric river" storm pounded southern California two weeks ago.

Nearly 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow has blanketed the mountainous regions of the Sierra Nevadas with 100-mile per hour (160 kilometer per hour) wind gusts causing blizzard-like conditions.

Winter storm warnings and snow alerts are in effect with 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) of snow possible in the next 24 hours as the storm travels to the states of Utah and Colorado.