975 CALIFORNIA DROWNS — Strongest Atmospheric River on Record, 11 DAYS, 200,000 Evacuate

27 Feb 2026A prolonged atmospheric river event, lasting 11 days, caused catastrophic flooding in California. The storm, characterised by its intensity and persistence, overwhelmed ageing infrastructure, leading to levee failures and widespread devastation. The disaster resulted in over 200,000 evacuations, significant damage to homes and businesses, and a tragic loss of life.Unrelenting storms, fuelled by atmospheric rivers, pummelled California, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and fatalities. The state’s ageing levee system, overwhelmed by the relentless rainfall, failed to protect communities, leading to catastrophic damage and displacement. Climate change, amplifying the intensity and frequency of atmospheric rivers, forced California to confront a new reality of recurring floods and the urgent need for adaptation.