Southern California is facing a severe storm system, causing widespread flooding, mudslides, and at least two deaths, with forecasters predicting the wettest Christmas in years and heightened risks in wildfire burn scar zones.
Southern California is currently enduring and preparing for a powerful storm system that has already been linked to at least two fatalities and is causing extensive flooding and mudslides. Forecasters anticipate this could be the region's wettest Christmas in years, significantly increasing the risk of debris flows in areas previously devastated by wildfires, such as Wrightwood and Lytle Creek in the San Gabriel Mountains, and burn zones from Orange County's Airport Fire. These areas, lacking vegetation, are especially susceptible to water absorption problems. A San Diego man tragically died from a falling tree, and a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy was killed in a weather-related crash. Emergency crews have been active, with San Bernardino County firefighters rescuing individuals trapped in cars by mud and debris in Wrightwood. Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders have been issued for several communities, including Lytle Creek, where families like Travis Guenther's were stranded after a bridge was washed out, and Wrightwood, where Dillan Brown's family faced dwindling supplies. Despite the challenges, communities are demonstrating resilience, with neighbors coming together to provide assistance to those cut off. The storm, fueled by atmospheric rivers, has resulted in significant road closures, including sections of Interstate 5, and is expected to deliver 4 to 8 inches of rain in many areas, with higher amounts in mountainous regions. Higher elevations, particularly the Sierra Nevada, are experiencing heavy snow, near white-out conditions, and a "considerable" avalanche risk near Lake Tahoe. In response to the escalating crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in six counties, deploying state assistance and placing the California National Guard on standby to aid in storm response efforts.
