A powerful winter storm has unleashed chaos across Southern California this week, following a soggy Christmas celebration disrupted by severe weather. The extreme conditions brought heavy rain, strong winds, and significant snowfall, creating dangerous situations from the coast to the mountain communities.
Wrightwood Battered by Mudslides and Floods
Among the hardest-hit areas was Wrightwood, a mountain town roughly 128 kilometres northeast of Los Angeles. The storm triggered mudslides that transformed roads into raging rivers of mud and rocks, cutting off power and prompting urgent evacuation warnings. Authorities urged residents to prepare for immediate departure as the unstable ground threatened homes and infrastructure.
"It’s really a crazy Christmas," said Jill Jenkins, who was spending the holidays in Wrightwood with her 13-year-old grandson, Hunter Lopiccolo. Social media was flooded with videos depicting the scale of destruction, showing flooded streets, debris-choked towns, and cascading mud.
Residents Choose to Stay, Embark on Rescue Missions
Despite the perilous conditions, some residents decided to ride out the storm. Lopiccolo described how his family prepared to evacuate but ultimately stayed. "We just played card games all night with candles and flashlights," he shared, highlighting the community's resilience amidst the blackout.
The unpredictable weather also spurred impromptu acts of heroism. One resident, Davey Schneider, trekked about 1.6 kilometres through pouring rain and floodwaters to rescue cats trapped in his grandfather's house. "I wanted to help them out because I wasn’t confident that they were going to live," Schneider stated. He later confirmed, "Fortunately, they all lived. They’re all okay — just a little bit scared."
Historic Rainfall and State of Emergency
Officials confirmed that this storm, fueled by a phenomenon known as an atmospheric river, delivered the wettest Christmas season to downtown Los Angeles in over fifty years. The severe weather has been linked to at least two fatalities earlier this week, involving falling trees and crashes.
In response to the crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties. Firefighters, first responders, and the National Guard were placed on high alert to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. Although the storm was expected to ease by Friday, authorities warned of ongoing risks, including:
- Flash floods
- Dangerously high surf along the coast
- Avalanche threats in mountainous regions
Emergency crews remain deployed across the state, with forecasts predicting more rain and snow in parts of California. Reflecting on the narrow escape, Wrightwood resident Arlene Corte noted, "It could be a whole lot worse. We’re here talking."
