A New York Times weather article reports that a storm drenched British Columbia on Tuesday, setting off flood watches after weekend gusts up to 80 mph downed power lines and trees, killing one person when a tree fell on a vehicle. Forecasters expect the stormy pattern to reach California by Friday, potentially bringing the state's first statewide soaking, with over five inches possible on the North Coast and a wetter-than-normal winter ahead because of a strong El Niño.