Weather worsens in California

Saturday, March 1, 2014, 11:47 AM -

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. California can't seem to catch a break.

After struggling in January and February with drought issues (2013 is the driest year on record), a powerful storm brought plenty of rain. A little too much, perhaps. Flash flood warnings are in effect for a large pat of southern California as heavy rain could have devastating effects in the Golden State.

RELATED: Flooding in northern Brazil halts Carnival

The storm as captured by a NASA satellite.

Officials have warned that coastal flooding is also possible and that waves have been reaching altitudes of almost four meters earlier today.

A tornado warning was also issued for parts of Los Angeles County. In Azusa what is assumed to be a weak tornado touched ground but no injuries were reported.

Evacuations in the state were also in effect as landslides and mudslides posed a danger to many residents. Approximately 1200 homes were deemed to be in a danger zone and residents were asked to leave immediately.

More than 150 millimeters of rainfall are expected in Los Angeles before the storm moves out of the state and as much as 250 mm could fall on the ridge line.

Experts say the California storms are part of a system that has been causing issues around the world. The unusually warm weather in Sochi during the Olympic Games also seems to be related, as does the flooding in Britain.

The driest parts of California will need over 380 mm of rain to bounce back from the devastating drought