Life-Threatening Flooding Hits Southern California as Powerful Storm Unfolds
A powerful Christmas Eve storm is bringing life-threatening flooding to Southern California, with widespread Flash Flood Warnings issued across the Los Angeles metro area and other parts of the region. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of a “dangerous scenario unfolding” with rain rates as high as 1.25 inches per hour, leading to mudslides and emergency evacuations.
California’s governor has declared a state of emergency for areas including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta counties, allowing emergency personnel to preposition resources and keep the community safe. The NWS has issued Flash Flood Warnings for parts of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.
Evacuations and Road Closures
Mudslides caused by the storm have washed out State Route 2 near Wrightwood, California, triggering home evacuations in that part of San Bernardino County. First responders have requested additional crews to assist with those evacuations. A mudslide has also closed part of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, a main connection between the Pacific Coast Highway and the San Fernando Valley, in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Evacuation warnings have been issued across Southern California ahead of the storm, mostly for areas close to burn scars from January’s wildfire disaster. The Los Angeles Fire Department has issued evacuation warnings through 11 p.m. Thursday for possible debris flows around the Palisades and Eaton Fire burn scars that could impact the Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and Sierra Madre communities.
Preparations and Safety Measures
Los Angeles police officers have gone door-to-door warning people living in high-risk homes within evacuation zones. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has distributed sandbags in Altadena and other vulnerable communities. Los Angeles County has opened a shelter in west L.A. ahead of the storm.
The NWS office in Los Angeles has issued several warnings Wednesday for boaters regarding possible waterspouts. Farther north, the National Weather Service office in San Francisco has issued a Special Marine Warning from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos, highlighting the threat of waterspouts and large waves.
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