Heavy rain storms hit California, causing floods, mudslides, power outages, and fatalities. State of emergency declared. Stay safe and informed.

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Heavy Rain Storms Cause Floods and Mudslides in California

As of Christmas night, heavy rain storms have triggered widespread floods and mudslides throughout California, resulting in the deaths of at least three people. The severe weather, which began earlier in the week, has shown no signs of abating, with predictions from meteorologists indicating the storms could continue through Friday.

Impact of the Heavy Rain Storms in California

• Certain areas in Los Angeles County have seen rainfall totals as high as 11 inches (27 cm).
• These conditions have prompted emergency evacuations and forced the closure of major roads.
• The storms left approximately 100,000 residents without power as of Thursday evening.
• Emergency services have been actively rescuing people trapped in rising floodwaters, including in vehicles.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday for Los Angeles and other southern California counties, increasing resources for response efforts.

Loss of Life from the Storms

• A 64-year-old man in San Diego died after being struck by a fallen tree.
• A 74-year-old man perished when police in Redding were unable to rescue him from his flooded car.
• In Mendocino County, a woman in her 70s lost her life when a large wave swept her into the ocean at MacKerricher State Park.

Widespread Flooding and Mudslides

The US Weather Prediction Center has warned that “numerous flash flooding events are possible” during the ongoing heavy rain storms. Increased rainfall has raised the risk of overflowing streams and rivers, especially in communities already vulnerable due to previous wildfires.

For example, in Altadena, just outside Los Angeles, residents witnessed a mudslide cascading through a burn scar zone — an area where wildfires from earlier in the year left the ground unable to absorb water effectively.

Evacuations and Emergency Declarations

Local authorities have issued evacuation warnings for San Bernardino County in southern California, while flash flood warnings are active for residents in the San Francisco Bay Area. Notably, wind speeds in the Bay Area reached an astonishing 100 mph (161 km/h) at a mountain observatory near San Jose.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also declared a local emergency and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, highlighting the danger posed by the storms, especially during the busy holiday period. “I am urging all Angelenos to stay safe and be extremely careful on the roads if you absolutely must travel,” she said. “Please do not take this storm lightly.”

Stay Informed and Safe

As unpredictable weather events increase in frequency and severity, it is crucial for California residents to stay informed and adhere to official advisories. If you are in an affected area, heed evacuation orders and stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

For ongoing updates and safety resources, visit our California Weather Updates page.

For more in-depth news coverage, see the original report by BBC News.