12 dead, a foot of rain and ‘catastrophic’ flooding possible as storms batter California: Live updates

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The death toll from an onslaught of violent storms sweeping across California rose to 12 as “two major episodes” promised more devastation and up to a foot of rain.

The National Weather Service warned that parts of the Sacramento area, which has been battered by high winds and overwhelming rains, could see 12 inches of rain by Wednesday night.

“Two of the more energetic and moisture-laden parade of cyclones … are aiming directly for California,” the weather service forecast said. “The cumulative effect of successive heavy rainfall events will lead to … rapid water rises, mudslides and the potential for major river flooding.”

The first episode, already affecting the state early Monday, was expected to dump up to 5 inches of rain on the central California coast, the weather service warned. Another, due Tuesday, will primarily target locations farther south into Southern California.