California Braces, for Back-to-Back , 'Pineapple Express' Storms.br On February 1, the West Coast of the United States br was bracing for severe weather, with over br 22 million people under flood alerts. .br NBC reports that both state and local officials br have already taken action to limit potential damage br and disruption from two powerful Pacific storms. .br Approximately 32 million people are also under high br wind alerts, bringing the potential of widespread br power outages as the pair of storms approach. .br The first of the storms is forecast to hit on br February 1, while the second storm is expected br to hit on February 4 and carry into February 5.br Both storms could be categorized as br "Pineapple Express" storms, having br originated in the subtropics of Hawaii.br Further inland, the storms are expected br to carry heavy snow, with over one million br people under winter weather alerts. .br According to National Weather Service br meteorologist Robert Hart, areas above 7,000 feet br could experience as much as 18 inches of snow.br NBC reports that Southern California br is predicted to receive the worst br of the rain from the February 1 storm. .br NBC reports that Southern California br is predicted to receive the worst br of the rain from the February 1 storm. .br The state, which is already recovering from recent record-br breaking rainfall and flooding, can expect the second br stronger storm to bring heavy winds, rain and snow. .br According to the California Department of Water br Resources, 5 million sandbags and over 62,000 flood-br blocking "super sacks" were on ready to combat flooding.