WATCH: Biden ‘cautiously optimistic’ after visiting California storm damage
Amy DeLaura
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CAPITOLA, California — President Joe Biden visited California and listened to business owners who sought to repair their shops after major storms led to death and devastation. More than 20 people were killed statewide.
Biden toured a gutted seafood restaurant that was badly flooded. Across the area, walls had deteriorated, debris had been spread, and raging waters had ripped the floors away.
BIDEN: DEADLY CALIFORNIA STORMS ‘CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE’
He also spoke at a press conference with Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA).
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“Well, governor, you and I got to stop taking these helicopter rides. We’ve made a bunch of them. You’ve been hit — if anybody doubts that climate is changing, then they must have been asleep for the last couple of years,” said Biden. “We did an aerial tour of the damage, and unlike when we did the aerial tour of the fires, it’s not as obvious from the air just how much damage has been done. Drenching rains, powerful winds, floods, landslides. But you don’t feel it, till you walk the streets or what, when you’re able to walk. You know, while the situation is still treacherous, we’re cautiously optimistic that the worst part is behind.”
Over a three-week period, California was inundated by an average of 11.47 inches of rain and snow. In the uppermost reaches of the Sierra Nevada, some reports recorded up to 15 feet of snow.