A significant storm system has brought intense winds, heavy rain, and snowfall to California, prompting warnings of flooding and avalanche risks. Although the storm was expected to ease on Friday, areas near Los Angeles remained vulnerable to flash flooding, while coastal locations faced high surf conditions. The San Francisco Bay Area could experience waves reaching up to 25 feet (7.6 meters), and the Sierra Nevada region was on alert for possible avalanches.
Authorities have advised residents in the mountain town of Wrightwood, located approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) northeast of Los Angeles, to prepare for potential evacuations due to mudslides. The storms, fueled by atmospheric rivers carrying moisture from the tropics, have already resulted in at least two fatalities earlier in the week. According to the National Weather Service, downtown Los Angeles has recorded its wettest Christmas season in 54 years.
Road conditions in Wrightwood have deteriorated significantly, with rocks, debris, and thick mud covering the streets. Residents have relied on a gas station and a coffee shop operating on generators as makeshift centers. Jill Jenkins, who spent the holiday with her 13-year-old grandson, recounted their experience: “It’s really a crazy Christmas.” Jenkins noted that they almost evacuated when water eroded part of their backyard but ultimately decided to remain and celebrate together.
Davey Schneider undertook a difficult journey through floodwaters to save cats from his grandfather’s home. “I wanted to help them out because I wasn’t confident that they were going to live,” Schneider explained. Fortunately, all the animals survived, albeit shaken. In Wrightwood, local resident Arlene Corte commented on the extreme conditions, saying, “It could be a whole lot worse. We’re here talking.”
As more rain is anticipated, over 150 firefighters have been deployed in the area, according to Shawn Millerick, a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Fire Department. “We’re ready. It’s all hands on deck at this point,” he stated. A falling tree tragically claimed the life of a man in San Diego on Wednesday, and a sheriff’s deputy in Sacramento also died in a weather-related incident.
Coastal areas, including Malibu, remain under a flood watch, and wind and flood advisories have been issued for much of the Sacramento Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. Typically, Southern California receives only 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) of rain during this time of year, but this week, many regions are expected to see between 4 and 8 inches (10-20 cm), with even higher amounts in mountainous areas, as noted by meteorologist Mike Wofford.
Additional heavy snow and wind are forecasted for the Sierra Nevada, where gusty conditions have created “near white-out conditions,” making travel through mountain passes hazardous. In response to the severe weather, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared states of emergency in six counties to facilitate state assistance. Resources and first responders have been deployed to various coastal and southern California counties, with the California National Guard on standby.
