Northern California flooded after powerful storm brings drenching rain

Sacramento area residents were warned of imminent levee failure' as snow in the Sierra Nevada made driving hazardous

Flash flood warnings were issued on Sunday in parts of northern California after a powerful storm brought drenching rain and heavy snowfall overnight, snarling traffic and closing highways as the state ushered in the new year.

Residents in the area of Wilton in Sacramento county were urged to seek higher ground by emergency officials amid the threat of imminent levee failure" on a portion of the local Cosumnes River, the Sacramento Bee reported.