Last year, I decided to wish for something unbelievable. I regularly prayed for rain after Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of drought in Jan. 2014 and issued statewide mandatory water reductions in April, 2015. Most Californians would call someone like me silly and naive –– how could a state so far in drought, known for its dry climate, possibly receive the precipitation necessary to pull it out of drought?
California Drought reports a record high and doubled amount of cumulative precipitation comared to the historic average recorded for this time of the year. In addition, surface reservoirs in Northern California have filled, but the deeper groundwater aquifers still require more water. This map indicates current reservoir conditions. Shasta, Millerton, and Don Pedro have all passed their historical averages and half of all the reservoirs are at least 50 percent full.
About 2-4 inches of rain fell on Jan. 22 alone –– the most severe storm day –– and Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Barbara county residents received evacuations due to flash flooding and mudslides, according to AccuWeather.
According to the Los Angeles National Weather Service, LA has received about 14 inches of precipitation this month, which is over double the normal amount of rainfall. Many major highways and freeways closed, including SR 138, the 110 and 10. The Los Angeles Times reports that downtown LA received 216% of its normal rainfall.
Press Enterprise states that San Bernardino and Riverside counties received the forecasted 3-5 inches of rain over six days, including San Bernardino, which received about 7 in. In addition, the mountains received quite the blizzard. Between 16-20 in of snow fell on Bear Mountain Resort in Big Bear, while Snow Valley Mountain Resort received 18-20 in of snow.
The U.S. Drought Monitor's map (updated Jan.17) indicates that much of Southern California is still in drought, but the drought intensity for some areas of Northern California have decreased. However, the percentages indicate improvement in the D3-D4 areas shaded in red, which includes SoCal. The numbers dropped from 27.80 to 24.30 in the last week and from 68.15 in the last year. Only 44 percent of California is out of drought now. Although this is a significant improvement, California has experienced drought for a while, so the dry land needs more moisture to fully recover. Nonetheless, more rain is on the way and the USDM forecasts 9-13 inches of rain for coastal areas of California over the next week.
Save Our Water provides an interactive slider on their website, which users can drag and see the drought's progression from 2012-2016. The difference between 2016 and 2017 alone is remarkable and the deep red areas that suffered from exceptional drought have diminished to a small spot on the map. Most of those areas in Southern California now experience extreme or severe drought. The top third of California, which ranged from, severe to exceptional drought on the map in 2016, is now alleviated from drought due to the intense rainfall.
Governor Jerry Brown will soon release new drought regulations, a sign that drought conditions have improved for parts of California. On the other hand, Southern California has not experienced regular rainfall during the last couple of years. The Los Angeles Almanac recorded 5.12 and 6.25 inches below normal for 2015-16 and 2014-15, respectively. Due to this deficit, Southern California's parched land thirsts for more wet weather. Drought conditions could steadily improve over the next year or two if rainfall continues, but they will stay at the current level if the rainfall remains average for the rest of 2017.
I knew rainfall totals could increase and help diminish the drought because God is Almighty and Lord of Creation (Colossians 1:16). He spoke to Job out of a whirlwind (Job 38:1), controls the weather (Job 36:7), led the Israelites through mighty waters (Exodus 40:21), and Jesus also calmed a raging storm (Matthew 8:26). These written instances occurred many years ago, but God is consistent with his character and can still perform miracles today (Malachi 3:16). Because he stays the same, I know he answers prayers according to his will if we have enough faith in his power (Mark 11:24). Therefore, I knew the God Most High could bring a wet winter storm this new year if I joined others and prayed for progress with the California drought.
As heavy rain poured down from the sky over the dry California desert this month, God reminded me about the way he rained manna from heaven when the Israelites wandered through the wilderness in Exodus. He knew their deepest needs and, as a loving Father, gave a good gift to his covenant nation (Matthew 7:11). God is omniscient and realizes our state needs water to replenish its dry terrain.
Despite Southern California's continued drought, I have faith God will continue providing the water California needs over time. We must remain patient and wait on his timing, but those who remain faithful and continue praying may see further provision from the Lord.
