Drought or no drought? California left pondering after record winter deluge

Severe storms may have filled reservoirs but in the Golden State, a dry spell is always lurking in the background'

Just a few months ago, millions in California were living under mandatory water conservation rules. The driest three years on record had transformed the state, depleted reservoirs and desiccated landscapes.

Then came a deluge. A dozen atmospheric river storms and several bomb cyclones" have broken levees and buried mountain communities in snow, but they have also delivered a boon. Reservoirs are refilling. Brown hills are blooming once again.