Heavy rain storms across large parts of California triggered floods and mudslides, leading to three fatalities as of Christmas night, local officials reported.
The storms are projected to extend through Friday, bringing up to 11 inches (27 cms) of rainfall to certain regions in Los Angeles County, prompting evacuations and various road closures. Emergency responders performed multiple rescues of individuals trapped in vehicles amid the rising floodwaters. In response to the crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles and several southern Californian counties.
By Thursday evening, around 100,000 residents in the state were without power. The US Weather Prediction Center warned of possible flash flooding events, stating that many streams could overflow, which may affect larger rivers.
Casualties included a 64-year-old man from San Diego, killed by a falling tree, and a 74-year-old man who died while police attempted to rescue him from flooding in Redding. Additionally, a woman in her 70s succumbed to injuries after being swept into the ocean by a wave at MacKerricher State Park.
In southern California, evacuation warnings were issued for some San Bernardino County residents, with further flash flood warnings affecting areas around the San Francisco Bay. Extreme weather conditions observed in the Bay Area saw wind speeds exceeding 100 mph (161 km/h), as reported by local media.
The flooding led to mudslides in areas previously scorched by wildfires, which have damaged the land's capacity to absorb water. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency, advising residents to exercise caution while traveling during this hazardous holiday period.
The storms, attributed to several atmospheric rivers bringing moisture from tropical regions, struck during one of the year's busiest travel weeks, amplifying the potential for accidents and further emergencies.
