At least 22 people have died as a result of the Cyclone that recently hit Southern California, officials warning that mudslides are a high possibility. Thousands have gone without power already. Beachside houses have been destroyed, as well as docks and piers. Damages in Southern California could top 1 billion, according to the New York Times, adding to the list of billion-dollar disasters. 

Eight atmospheric river-fueled storms have washed over California since Christmas, dumping an estimated 24 trillion gallons of water on the Golden State.

More storms are set to make their way across California and although there is planned to be lighter rainfall, the threshold for flooding is much lower now because the ground is too saturated to absorb any more water in many areas.

In San Luis Obispo County, officials continue the search for Kyle Doan; the five year old child was swept out of his mother’s arms in the ravaging floodwaters. 

More than 22 million people are currently under flood watch, according to the National Weather Service – almost as many as the population of Australia – and thousands have had to evacuate. California Governor Gavin Newsom said at least 34,000 people had been told to flee the storms, with more danger expected.

Media has hardly covered this natural disaster; a surprising amount of people not being notified of the heavy storms and many completely unaware of the problems and damage this could cause. Although outlets are reporting on destruction as it happens, the fact that many didn’t know it was coming was frightening enough.