Aerial photos show California's devastating flooding

Jan 15, 2023, 4:15 PM ET
PHOTO: Trucks and homes are partially submerged in a flooded neighborhood in Merced, Calif. on Jan. 10, 2023.PlayJosh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
WATCH California weather emergency

California has been experiencing extreme weather, including a "relentless parade of atmospheric rivers" -- storms that are long plumes of moisture stretching out into the Pacific and are capable of dropping staggering amounts of rain and snow. With the rolling series of storms have come powerful winds and high surfs.

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The storms have caused mass evacuations, along with widespread power outages, downed trees and difficult driving conditions. Parts of California have received more than 3 feet of rain since Christmas, while the Sierra Nevada Mountains have had a record snowy start to the season, already surpassing seasonal averages. At least 17 people have died.

These aerial photos show the devastating impact across the state.

Photo: Floodwater from the Russian River approaches homes following a chain of winter storms, Jan. 15, 2023 in Guerneville, Calif.

PHOTO: Floodwater from the Russian River approaches homes following a chain of winter storms, Jan. 15, 2023 in Guerneville, Calif. Fred Greaves/Reuters
Floodwater from the Russian River approaches homes following a chain of winter storms, Jan. 15, 2023 in Guerneville, Calif.

A home sits partially underwater in Gilroy, California, Jan. 9.

PHOTO: A flooded home sits partially underwater in Gilroy, Calif., Jan. 9, 2023. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
A flooded home sits partially underwater in Gilroy, Calif., Jan. 9, 2023.

In the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles, two cars were swallowed by a sinkhole after a day of relentless rain on Jan. 10. Four people escaped, two with minor injuries.

PHOTO: Several people had to be rescued after two vehicles fell into a sinkhole, Jan. 10, 2023 in Chatsworth, Calif. David Swanson/Reuters
Several people had to be rescued after two vehicles fell into a sinkhole, Jan. 10, 2023 in Chatsworth, Calif.

Trucks and homes are partially submerged in a flooded neighborhood in Merced, Calif., on Jan. 10.

PHOTO: Trucks and homes are partially submerged in a flooded neighborhood in Merced, Calif. on Jan. 10, 2023. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
Trucks and homes are partially submerged in a flooded neighborhood in Merced, Calif. on Jan. 10, 2023.

A flooded road in Sebastopol, Calif., Jan. 5.

PHOTO: A flooded road in Sebastopol, Calif., Jan. 5, 2023. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
A flooded road in Sebastopol, Calif., Jan. 5, 2023.

The Capitola Wharf was severely damaged during a powerful winter storm, Jan. 6 in Capitola, Calif.

PHOTO: In an aerial view, damage is visible on the Capitola Wharf following a powerful winter storm, Jan. 06, 2023 in Capitola, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In an aerial view, damage is visible on the Capitola Wharf following a powerful winter storm, Jan. 06, 2023 in Capitola, California.

Homes are surrounded by floodwaters on Jan. 11 in Planada, Calif. The Central Valley town of Planada was devastated by widespread flooding after a severe atmospheric river event moved through the area earlier in the week.

PHOTO: Homes are surrounded by floodwaters on Jan. 11, 2023 in Planada, Calif. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Homes are surrounded by floodwaters on Jan. 11, 2023 in Planada, Calif.

A tree was felled during a winter storm with high winds in Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 8.

PHOTO: A tree was felled during a winter storm with high winds in Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 8, 2023. Fred Greaves/Reuters
A tree was felled during a winter storm with high winds in Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 8, 2023.

A vehicle is forced to turn around on a flooded road in Sebastopol, Calif., Jan. 5.

PHOTO: A vehicle turns around on a flooded road in Sebastopol, Calif, Jan. 05, 2023. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
A vehicle turns around on a flooded road in Sebastopol, Calif, Jan. 05, 2023.

Flooding near downtown Sacramento, Calif. occurred due to the rainstorm-swollen Sacramento and American Rivers, Jan. 11, 2023.

PHOTO: Flooding near downtown Sacramento, Calif. occurred due to the rainstorm-swollen Sacramento and American Rivers, Jan. 11, 2023. Fred Greaves/Reuters
Flooding near downtown Sacramento, Calif. occurred due to the rainstorm-swollen Sacramento and American Rivers, Jan. 11, 2023.

The Riviera Holiday Mobile Estates/Senior Community was flooded after another wave of storms in Merced, Calif., Jan. 10, 2023.

PHOTO: The Riviera Holiday Mobile Estates/Senior Community was flooded after another wave of storms in Merced, Calif., Jan. 10, 2023. Lipo Ching/EPA via Shutterstock
The Riviera Holiday Mobile Estates/Senior Community was flooded after another wave of storms in Merced, Calif., Jan. 10, 2023.

A flooded street in Atwater, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2023.

PHOTO: A flooded street in Atwater, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2023. Laure Andrillon/Reuters
A flooded street in Atwater, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2023.

Homes are seen surrounded by floodwaters on Jan. 11, 2023 in Planada, Calif.

PHOTO:Homes are seen surrounded by floodwaters on Jan. 11, 2023 in Planada, Calif. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
PHOTO:Homes are seen surrounded by floodwaters on Jan. 11, 2023 in Planada, Calif.

Residents clean up their muddy neighborhood in Felton, Calif., on Jan. 14, 2023.

PHOTO: In this aerial picture taken on Jan. 14, 2023, residents clean up their muddy neighborhood in Felton, Calif., as a series of atmospheric river storms continue to cause widespread destruction across the state. David Mcnew/AFP via Getty Images
In this aerial picture taken on Jan. 14, 2023, residents clean up their muddy neighborhood in Felton, Calif., as a series of atmospheric river storms continue to cause widespread destruction across the state.