ARkStorm means “Atmospheric River (AR) 1000 (k) (for precipitation levels expected to occur once every 1,000 years). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed this hypothetical “superstorm” scenario that would be similar to storms that occurred in California in 1861 and 1862 and caused widespread flooding, property damage, and loss of life. Under this scenario, rainfall would be so heavy that it would overwhelm the state’s normal flood management strategies and infrastructure.
Weather of this kind would cause flooding not just in the Central Valley, where the Delta is, but in Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay area. Interruptions to export water deliveries would represent a small part of the devastation and economic loss that such a storm would cause. As is the case with earthquake threats, the best defense against interruptions in water deliveries under any disaster scenario is increased investment in local water systems.
← What about an ARkStorm?
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