Southern California is beginning to see a break in the heavy rainstorms that battered the region over the Christmas period, but forecasters warn that flood and mudslide risks remain high in already saturated areas. Emergency officials continue to respond to the devastating impacts, with at least three fatalities reported due to the severe weather.

Heavy Rainfall and Widespread Flooding

The recent storms, fueled by multiple atmospheric rivers, dumped as much as 6 inches (15 cm) of rain in Los Angeles County, with up to 18 inches recorded in mountainous regions. These intense rainfall events prompted evacuations, road closures, and emergency rescues, as swollen rivers and saturated soil heightened the risk of floods and mudslides.

Over 50,000 residents remain without power, with utility crews working to restore electricity across the hardest-hit areas. According to the US National Weather Service (NWS), “flood watches and advisories remain in effect as it won’t take much additional rain to create flooding issues today, especially in the mountains where some areas have received close to 18 inches of rain since Tuesday.”

Fatalities Linked to Storms

The storms have claimed multiple lives across California. On Wednesday, a 64-year-old man in San Diego was killed by a fallen tree. Over the weekend, a 74-year-old resident drowned while trapped in a vehicle in Redding, and on Monday, a woman in her 70s died after being swept into the ocean at MacKerricher State Park in Mendocino County.

These tragic incidents underscore the dangers of heavy rainfall and flash flooding during winter storm events in California.

Atmospheric Rivers and Their Impact

Meteorologists attribute the record rainfall to atmospheric rivers, which are long, narrow bands of water vapor that form over the Pacific Ocean and transport large volumes of moisture to the US West Coast. These systems are capable of producing torrential rainfall and heavy snow, particularly during the winter months.

This storm event coincided with one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, adding challenges for emergency responders and residents alike. Several rescues were reported, including people stranded in vehicles as floodwaters rose rapidly.

Forecast and Recovery Efforts

While rainfall is expected to taper off Friday afternoon, officials caution that even light showers could trigger localized flooding and landslides, especially in the mountainous regions of Southern California.

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles confirmed that a limited number of evacuation orders remain in effect, urging residents to stay cautious. Senior meteorologist Tom Kines of AccuWeather said, “Our overall picture is that there’s just one more day of this mess, mostly across Southern California, specifically in the LA area. We still have some issues today with bouts of heavy rain, but this weekend is mainly dry, thankfully.”

Residents are advised to avoid driving through flooded areas, follow evacuation orders, and remain vigilant in areas prone to mudslides and landslides. Emergency services continue monitoring rivers, reservoirs, and landslide-prone zones across the region.

Conclusion

California’s recent storms have caused widespread flooding, mudslides, power outages, and tragic fatalities, highlighting the state’s vulnerability to severe winter weather fueled by atmospheric rivers. While conditions are slowly improving, authorities emphasize that risks remain high until soils dry and water levels recede. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through weather alerts and official advisories as recovery efforts continue.