January 17, 2007

California

A severe cold snap brought consecutive nights of freezing temperatures to California's central valley—turning drip irrigation into ice, such as that adorning this orange tree in Orange Cove, California.

The chilling temperatures have devastated the state's citrus crop, destroying up to 75 percent of still maturing oranges and severely affecting lemons, avocados, grapefruit, and strawberries.

In total, the damage could top a billion U.S. dollars, prompting Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency as forecasters predict more severe weather ahead.

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