California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in response to severe winter storms. Northern California is expected to be hit with a particularly strong storm with 60-mile-per-hour winds and about six inches of rain.

Most of Northern and Central California face the possibility of floods and high winds. The National Weather Service warned of "widespread flooding, impassible roads, mudslides/landslides" as well as a rapid rise in rivers and creeks.

The imminent storm, deemed a bomb cyclone, is expected to continue to bring rain that will cause flooding, landslides, and snow to some areas into Thursday. Officials are ordering some residents to evacuate their areas.

This storm accounts for the fourth major storm to hit California in less than two weeks. California has already been pummeled with rain this week and residents were warned that this storm will be the most severe.

"There's enough concern with this system that everyone needs to stay on guard," said David Sweet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

"Significant flash flooding and debris flows are possible, especially in and below recent burn scars," Sweet added.

California is in need of rain due to its heavy drought conditions but excessive rain, especially in areas where wildfire damages have occurred, can be dangerous.

"A major storm and atmospheric river is poised to impact California today and Thursday with heavy to excessive rainfall, flooding with debris flows and landslides near recent burn scar areas, heavy mountain snow and high winds," the National Weather Service said Wednesday.

The most recent storm is an aftereffect of a powerful hurricane-force low-pressure system that is coming from the eastern Pacific.

The low-pressure system is bringing a surge of moisture and damaging winds to the West Coast.