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March 10 (UPI) -- Two deaths have been reported and thousands are under evacuation orders as California braces for possible flooding in the wake of what's being called an "atmospheric river" of heavy rain and snow. In preparation, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency Friday.
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Nancy Ward, the Director of California's Office of Emergency Services confirmed that two fatalities have occurred. Additionally Ward confirmed that 9,400 people are under evacuation orders.
The system weakened Friday morning but was expected to pick up again by the evening.
"Heavy rain along with embedded thunderstorms will increase over all of western Santa Barbara County through the afternoon," the National Weather Service for Los Angeles tweeted Friday. "The risk of flash flooding is likely to increase urban and streams mainly west of Goleta."
Parts of California were prepping for significant flooding on Friday as the California National Guard prepared specialized vehicles that could be needed in potential high waters that could affect regions of the state.
"California National Guard's 2632nd Trans. Co. staged high-water vehicles at the Okinawa Armory yesterday. The unit is staging vehicles for emergency response in case of flooding throughout the state," the California National Guard tweeted Friday.
The California Department of Water Resources started releasing water from Lake Oroville on Friday to prevent spillover and further flooding. The water is being released as a precaution despite the fact that California has experienced recent drought.
"DWR has begun releasing water from the main spillway at Oroville Dam. We are closely monitoring the upcoming storms," the California Department of Water Resources tweeted Friday.
Out of 58 counties in California, 34 had declared states of emergency in place by Friday.
An evacuation order has been put in place for parts of San Luis Obispo County.
"Forecasted rain amounts are anticipated to fill the Arroyo Grande Creek Channel and potentially overtop the south levee. Oceano residents south of the Arroyo Grande Creek Levee should seek higher ground before 8:00 p.m. tonight," the Office of Emergency Services of San Luis Obispo said in an update.
In his emergency declaration, Biden said "FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency."
Additionally, a storm system moving through the Central United States, has caused snowfall and knocked out power to over 100,000 customers in Wisconsin.
"Severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes are possible across Wisconsin this evening as a front moves into the region," the National Weather Service said in an update Friday.
