In brief
Southern California is grappling with heavy rains that have triggered flash flood warnings, particularly in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The National Weather Service reports significantly higher rainfall this November, raising concerns of mudslides and urban flooding as a result of an atmospheric river impacting the region. Santa Barbara County has reported over 15 inches of rain, straining emergency services and prompting safety warnings for residents.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California is under siege as torrential rains led to flash flood warnings on Friday. The National Weather Service has reported that the region is set to experience near-record rainfall for November, following a barrage of storms.
Residents were alerted early Friday morning about the risk of flash flooding in urban areas, including streets, creeks, and streams across Los Angeles and Orange counties, with particular concern for mudslides in regions vulnerable due to recent wildfires. In Huntington Beach, streets were transformed into rivers as heavy rain poured down.
The latest warnings stretch from downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica to Mission Viejo. Reports indicated that vehicles were stranded in floodwaters near Culver City, showcasing the severe impact of the weather. A series of storms since November 13 have dumped over four times the usual rainfall in downtown Los Angeles for this time of year.
Normally, downtown Los Angeles sees about 0.78 inches of rain in November; however, this month it has already received approximately 3.5 inches—signifying a dramatic weather anomaly. Areas within Santa Barbara County, notable for their susceptibility to moisture, have reported over 15 inches of rain, further complicating the situation.
An atmospheric river, known for its ability to cause substantial rainfall across its path, is responsible for this atmospheric instability, having already contributed to multiple fatalities in California earlier this month as communities prepare for the continued adverse weather conditions.
