SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A powerful atmospheric river storm drenched Southern California over the Christmas holiday, bringing record-breaking rainfall, widespread flooding, mudslides, evacuations and multiple deaths, officials and weather agencies reported. The relentless storm system — one of the most intense to hit the region in years — prompted states of emergency and ongoing rescue and evacuation efforts across multiple counties.
The Pacific-driven storm unleashed more than a foot of rain in some mountainous areas and upwards of 11 inches in parts of the Los Angeles region, far above typical seasonal amounts. The National Weather Service said the rainfall was part of a strong atmospheric river, a long, narrow plume of tropical moisture, that was responsible for the wettest Christmas season in downtown Los Angeles in over five decades.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in several counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Shasta, to mobilize resources and aid response efforts. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also issued a local emergency declaration as roads washed out, rivers overflowed, and floodwaters inundated communities already vulnerable from past wildfires.
The storm has caused at least three confirmed deaths linked to the extreme weather — including a falling tree in San Diego, a Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy who died in a weather-related crash, and other fatalities reported amid the flooding and debris flows. Authorities continue to investigate additional weather-related incidents as heavy rain and runoff continue to strain emergency services.
Emergency crews responded to dozens of rescues, including river and creek operations where residents were trapped by rapidly rising waters. Widespread evacuation orders were issued for foothill and mountain communities susceptible to mudslides and debris flows, especially in regions with soil that cannot absorb heavy rainfall due to previous wildfire burn scars, which increase runoff and slide risk.
Infrastructure impacts were significant, with road closures on major routes including the Angeles Crest Highway, widespread power outages affecting more than 140,000 customers, and travel disruptions as local authorities advised residents to avoid nonessential travel during the storm peak.
Weather officials warned that additional rainfall and hazardous conditions may persist before a shift to drier conditions later in the weekend, urging Californians to remain vigilant and prepared. The storm is also expected to produce high surf along the coast, snow and avalanche risks in the Sierra Nevada, and continued flash flood threats in low-lying areas.
