US EditionChristmas Storm Triggers Widespread Flooding in Los Angeles
The storm caused evacuations in 130 wildfire-vulnerable homes and dropped up to 8 inches of rain by morning, with flash flooding and rockslides reported across the region.
- On Wednesday, torrential rains drenched Southern California, unleashing widespread flash flooding that affected Los Angeles, California, and Woodland Hills neighborhoods.
- Meteorologists traced the storm to an atmospheric river that funneled dense Pacific moisture inland, spawning heavy downpours and gusty winds, with forecasts calling for more than a foot in some lower-terrain mountain areas.
- Forecasters issued a rare tornado warning for Alhambra amid heavy thunderstorm activity, with NWS meteorologist Ariel Cohen saying 4 inches of rain fell in some foothill areas by 9 a.m. PST.
- Los Angeles city officials urged residents to evacuate about 130 vulnerable homes in Pacific Palisades, while emergency crews in Wrightwood rescued stranded drivers and Angeles Crest Highway closed in two stretches.
- The storm was expected to persist into Friday, with a flash-flood warning covering much of Los Angeles County until 6 p.m. PST, urging motorists to avoid travel unless evacuating.
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Storms and rain keep Southern California in breath. In some regions the emergency applies.
"Sudden and widespread floods are expected," reported the weather services in their last bulletin on Wednesday, according to which "lives and goods are in serious danger."
Otago Daily Times
Christmas storm triggers widespread flooding in Los Angeles
A worker clears debris from a flooded part of the 134 freeway, as heavy rains fall due to an atmospheric river in Burbank, California. Photo: Reuters Torrential rains have drenched Southern California, unleashing widespread flash flooding as authorities urged motorists to stay off roads and residents living downslope of wildfire-scarred foothills and canyons to evacuate.
A huge rain corridor, called the "atmospheric river", will cross California until the weekend, one year after the fires of the beginning of the year.
The first burst of heavy rain hit the region on Tuesday night, and more was expected by Wednesday.
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