Sacramento
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven Northern California counties this week after two powerful storms hit the region, killing at least three people and forcing thousands to flee from flooding and mudslides. In Sonoma County, the Russian River peaked at 42 feet10 feet above the flood line. Some 750 homes and businesses in Napa and 180 in the Marin County town of San Anselmo were flooded. Property losses from the storms are estimated at $100 million. The same weather system swept 50 mph winds through the Los Angeles area, drenching the Rose Parade for the first time in a half-century.