Already-hammered western US faces more landslides, wildfires

World Today

Extreme weather in the western United States has resulted in many landslides and wildfires this year. Up and down the West Coast, thousands of people been forced out of their homes. As CCTV America’s Chris Clackum reports, more devastation may be on its way.

 

Western U.S. faces many landslides and wildfires this year

Extreme weather in the western United States has resulted in many landslides and wildfires this year. Up and down the west coast, thousands of people been forced out of their homes. As CCTV America's Chris Clackum reports, more devastation may be on its way.

Fires in five western states have scorched nearly half a million acres and the number of people forced to evacuate is well into thousands. Two fires in particular in northern California have plowed through 100 square miles (about 260 square kilometers) of drought-stricken brush. It now threatens 3,000 people who live in the town of Burney.

These fires were sparked by lightning, which officials fear there may be even more of this week due to an increasing chance of thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, heavy rains behind a landslide in North Salt Lake Utah has destroyed one home. A dozen others around it have been evacuated because the rain soaked land beneath started giving way overnight.

The storm front earlier led to flash flooding in Nevada that shut down roads near Las Vegas creating a near tragic scene when a wall of water trapped an elderly couple inside their Toyota Prius. A passing airman came to their rescue — and then was almost swept away himself.

There is also wild weather off the West Coast. Hawaii is prepping for back-to-back tropical storms. First up is Hurricane Iselle, aiming to hit the big Island by Thursday. Also expected to reach the Big Island is tropical storm Julio on Saturday.