"On Feb 25 the New York Times reported that the series of winter storms that swept from the Pacific since the beginning of the month has caused California more than $500 million in damage and prompted Gov. Pete Wilson to declare states of emergencies in nearly two-thirds of California's 58 counties. The recent storm that ended Feb 24 caused rare tornadoes, mudslides and flash flooding that damaged many homes, washed away cars and caused deaths of at least seven people from the central coast south to the Mexican border. According to the National Weather Service, record rainfalls for the month of February were recorded in many California cities including San Francisco, Eureka, San Jose, Monterey, Stockton, Santa Maria, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oxnard and others.. Some southern California cities, including Santa Barbara, Northridge, Chatsworth, and Simi Valley record heaviest rain for any month on record. Periods of record for some of these cities date as far back as 1840-1860s."--Susan Smith <Susan.Smith@noaa.gov>