The search for five-year-old Kyle Duane from California, who was swept away by his mother in the floods a week ago, led to the finding of some of his items.
According to the New York Times, among other things, a lunch bag, DVDs he watched during car rides, including the movie "Charlotte's Web" and a single blue-gray sneaker were found.
Kyle himself is still missing.
Since Monday, rescue workers, National Guardsmen and volunteers have been searching for the boy in an area near San Miguel in central California.
When the water began to recede later this week, the family's belongings were found a few miles from where Kyle was last seen, said his father, Brian.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday at a news conference in Santa Barbara County that everyone is praying for the "miracle of miracles" to find Kyle alive.
Yesterday, the water level rose again and heavy rain combined with strong winds hit the area.
Officials have called off the search for the day.
According to them, the decision about the searches will now be made on a daily basis depending on safety, said Tony Cipola, of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.
Kyle's mother's car (photo: official website, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office))
Five-year-old Kyle (photo: official website, Facebook)
Floods in California (Photo: Reuters)
Floods in California (Photo: Reuters)
Floods in California (Photo: Reuters)
Floods in California (Photo: Reuters)
Floods in California (Photo: Reuters)
Floods in California (Photo: Reuters)
Search and rescue crews from nearby counties and the California National Guard were called back home and remained on standby to assist in other parts of the state.
"The more and more rain falls, the more we have to postpone the search," said Kyle's father.
"It's definitely disappointing."
"It's heartbreaking," said Newsom, who has four children.
"You think about the last moment, a mother and a small child drifting away, and you feel helpless."
The storm is expected to weaken today, and strengthen again tonight into Monday.
At least 19 people have died since the end of December in the series of storms that hit California.
The death toll is expected to rise.
In northern and central California, the worst damage was recorded: dams broke, thousands of trees fell, huge waves smashed piers and mudslides blocked highways.
Flash floods and heavy snow also blocked mountain passes.
Nationwide, 75,000 people are under an evacuation warning and 23,000 are without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
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