Heavy rain, snowfall lash California; see pictures

Nurse Katie Leonard uses a kayak to bring supplies to Patsy Costello, 88, as she sits trapped in her vehicle for over an hour on Astrid Drive in Pleasant Hill, California.

Louis Bodine, left, and Amanda Licciardi, of Los Angeles, snow shoe under heavy snow along Connolly Beach in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Patsy Costello, 88, waits in her vehicle for over an hour on Astrid Drive in Pleasant Hill, California.

Nurse Katie Leonard, left, hands a cup of hot tea to Patsy Costello, 88, as she sits trapped in her vehicle for over an hour on Astrid Drive in Pleasant Hill, California.

This photo released by Caltrans District 3, shows Sierra highway back open but chain controls remain in effect as crews clean up in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. California was drying out and digging out on New Year's Day after a powerful storm brought drenching rain or heavy snowfall to much of the state, snarling traffic and closing highways.

Three vehicles are submerged on Dillard Road west of Highway 99 in south Sacramento County in Wilton, California.

People walk along a snow covered road near El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe, California.

This photo released by Caltrans District 3, California Department of Transportation crews clear the road on Highway 50 over Echo Summit for avalanche control work in South Lake Tahoe, California.

A fallen tree blocks the street next to Fort Sutter Medical Complex in Sacramento, California.

An aerial view of the damage after rainstorms caused a levee to break, flooding Sacramento County roads near Wilton, California.