In brief
Severe rainstorms in California have led to at least three fatalities, extensive flooding, and mudslides, prompting a state of emergency declaration by Governor Gavin Newsom. Significant rainfall in Los Angeles County and beyond has caused evacuations, road closures, and power outages for approximately 100,000 residents. Emergency responders continue to rescue individuals trapped by rising waters. The storms, driven by atmospheric rivers, are expected to persist, with flash flooding warnings in effect.
Heavy rain storms across large parts of California triggered floods and mudslides, resulting in three confirmed deaths as of Christmas night, according to local officials.
The storms, which are expected to continue through Friday, brought as much as 11 inches (27 cm) of rainfall to certain areas in Los Angeles County, leading to evacuations and the closure of major highways.
Emergency responders have performed numerous rescues, including individuals stranded in vehicles amid rising floodwaters. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday for Los Angeles and several southern counties.
As of Thursday evening, around 100,000 Californians were reported without power. The US Weather Prediction Center warned of the potential for numerous flash flooding events, stating many streams could flood and impact larger rivers.
A 64-year-old man from San Diego was killed by a falling tree on Wednesday morning, while another victim, a 74-year-old, drowned over the weekend as police attempted to rescue him from his vehicle in Redding.
In Mendocino County, a woman in her 70s lost her life after being swept into the ocean during a tumultuous wave incident.
Evacuation warnings have been issued for some residents in San Bernardino County, while flash flood alerts affected areas in the San Francisco Bay region.
Some locations in the Bay Area also reported wind gusts exceeding 100 mph (161 km/h), as noted by the San Francisco Chronicle.
In Altadena, close to Los Angeles, flooding led to a mudslide in an area ravaged by previous wildfires, which compromised the ground's ability to absorb heavy rain.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency due to the storms, advising residents to exercise caution on the roads during the busy holiday travel season. I urge all Angelenos to stay safe and be extremely careful on the roads if you absolutely must travel, she emphasized.
The storms are fueled by multiple atmospheric rivers carrying significant moisture from the tropics, coinciding with one of the most active travel periods of the year.
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