From the Los Angeles Times – The storms, which began after Christmas and continued until this week, dumped rain across the state, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people. The storms brought “significant” damage to Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties, as well as Monterey, Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Benito along the Central Coast, Ferguson said, adding that there will be “extensive” costs for 30 to 40 counties. (more)