Scientists Warn California Could Endure Devastating Flooding In Upcoming Decades

Climate change is wreaking havoc on the world, and California has yet to see the worst of it.

Scientists are now warning that massive flooding will likely hit the state within the upcoming decades. The grim study was published Friday in the Sciences Advances journal. According to the report, a “megaflood” could bring water high enough to cover stop signs in many areas. This catastrophe is the result of the Earth continuously getting warmer.

The study focused on two different scenarios using current climate models. The first system predicted long-term storms taking place during climate changes between 2081 and 2100. The second scenario examined what could take place under the current climate. Both will result in extreme runoff water and landslides.

“There are localized spots that get over 100 liquid-equivalent inches of water in the month,” stated Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist and co-author of the research.

California could face more than $1 trillion in damages and an unspeakable loss of life under the possible outcomes of climate change. Major cities such as Los Angeles and Sacramento could soon be underwater in the current climate change. Flooding like this has not been seen since the Great Flood of 1862.

The Great Flood of 1862 resulted from over 40 days of constant rain across Oregon, Nevada, and California. This flood lasted from December 1861 to January 1862 and claimed 4,000 lives.

Scientists are pleading with California to continue minimizing emissions and focus on adapting to what is to come.