According to Fox News, as California was being hit with significant winter weather, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) decided to abandon ship, and do some "personal travel." 

Now, Newsom is facing some serious criticism.

What we know: not much

Newsom decided to leave the state of California on Wednesday.

Nobody knows exactly where Newsom went because he has refused to disclose that information due to security concerns. Newsom also has not explained why it is that he decided to leave.

Instead, Newsom's office has simply stated that Newsom is out of state on "personal travel."

Newsom's office further claimed that Newsom, before leaving, "visited the Diablo Canyon Power Plant to tour its facilities and highlight how this source of carbon-free electricity will support energy reliability during California's clean energy transition."

State of emergency

Newsom left California after declaring a state of emergency in 13 counties due to significant winter storms.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

The order makes it easier to bring in resources from out of state and to hire snow-removal teams and equipment that isn't always easy to access. It will also provide financial resources and reduce bureaucratic red tape that often stall disaster response at the local level, as well as activate the state National Guard and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to support counties.

Obviously, a governor leaving his state after declaring a state of emergency is not a good look. And, Newsom is now facing heat for it.

He "just left"

Among those leading the criticism is U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA). After learning of Newsom's departure, Kiley tweeted:

Californians are trapped in their homes without power. More storms are on the way. And Governor Newsom has just left the state for “personal travel.”

Kiley, in a subsequent message, also called upon Acting Gov. Eleni Kounalakis (D) "to immediately seek a Major Disaster Declaration from the President," stating, "our residents are cut off from power and basic supplies."

Kiley is certainly not alone in criticizing Newsom. Even San Francisco Chronicle columnist Emily Hoeven noted that it "may not have been the best timing for Newsom to go out of state on personal travel."

At the time of this writing, Newsom has still not responded to the criticism or offered any explanation for his decision to leave the state amid the storm.

According to Fox News, Newsom is expected to return to his office in California on Saturday.