A strong winter storm moved through California on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that prompted evacuation warnings for potential mudslides in the southern regions. The storm also caused near white-out snow conditions in the mountains and created dangerous travel conditions for millions of holiday travelers.
Forecasters indicated that Southern California could experience one of its wettest Christmases in years, with concerns about flash flooding and mudslides. Areas previously affected by wildfires in January were put under evacuation warnings, with Los Angeles County officials actively evacuating around 380 vulnerable homes.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department issued an evacuation warning for Wrightwood, a mountain town in the San Gabriel Mountains, due to the risk of mud and debris flows from the storm. Social media videos showed debris and mud flowing down roads in Wrightwood, with emergency crews working to evacuate some residences.
Coastal areas, including Malibu, were under flood warnings, while parts of the Sacramento Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area were under wind and flood advisories. In Los Angeles, the Fire Department rescued a man trapped in a drainage tunnel, and several road closures were in effect due to flooding.
As multiple atmospheric rivers moved across the state during a peak travel period, conditions were expected to deteriorate. The storm in Los Angeles was anticipated to intensify through Wednesday afternoon before subsiding later in the evening.
Residents like 84-year-old James Dangerfield from Altadena prepared for potential flash floods by placing sandbags, while others, like Mike Burdick, took precautions to protect their homes from overflowing waters. The storm brought heavy rainfall well above the seasonal average, with some areas expected to receive between four to eight inches.
The National Weather Service issued warnings for heavy snow and gusts in the Sierra Nevada, leading to almost impassable conditions in mountain passes. In Monterey, wind gusts reached 60 mph, causing power outages. California Highway Patrol investigated a fatal crash near Sacramento, attributed to unsafe speed on wet roads.
Statewide responses included Governor Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency in six counties to facilitate storm response efforts. The storm also impacted Northern California, resulting in flash floods and emergency rescues. Emergency services and the California National Guard were on standby to assist affected regions.