California officials rush to drain lake as new storms begin
OROVILLE, Calif. — Officials raced to drain more water from a lake behind battered Oroville Dam as new storms began rolling into Northern California on Wednesday and tested the quick repairs made to damaged spillways that raised flood fears.
The three storms were expected to stretch into next week. Forecasters said the first two storms could drop a total of 5 inches of rain in higher elevation.
However, the third storm, starting as early as Monday, could be more powerful.
“There a potential for several inches,” National Weather Service forecaster Tom Dang said. “It will be very wet.”