A severe and dangerous winter storm is currently lashing the US state of California, bringing with it a destructive mix of heavy rain, powerful winds, flooding, debris flows, and heavy snowfall. The National Weather Service has issued dire warnings, stating this could be the wettest Christmas Southern California has witnessed in years, accompanied by serious flash flood and mudslide risks.
Evacuations and Rescue Operations Underway
In response to the imminent threat, local authorities have sprung into action. Los Angeles county officials have issued 380 evacuation orders specifically for residents living in areas scarred by the January wildfires, where the denuded landscape is highly vulnerable to mudslides. The situation turned perilous in San Bernardino County, where firefighters had to rescue multiple people trapped in their vehicles by rushing mud and debris.
One harrowing account comes from Dillan Brown, who was vacationing in Wrightwood with his family. "I came across a road where there was a car sucked away by the water and realised we were trapped here," he said. Stranded in the woods with his wife and 14-month-old daughter, they were left with almost no food and a dwindling supply of diapers.
Widespread Damage and a Tragic Loss
The storm's fury has been felt across the state. Gusty winds have toppled trees onto homes, while flooded roads have caused widespread travel chaos, leading to numerous closures. Authorities are pleading with drivers to avoid flooded roadways, with the California San Bernardino public information office warning, "Just a few inches can lift a vehicle off the roadway and put lives at risk." Their stark message: "Turn around and don't drown."
Tragically, the severe weather has already claimed a life. Sacramento sheriff deputy James Caravallo reportedly died in a crash investigated as weather-related by the California Highway Patrol. The sheriff's office expressed profound grief, asking the public to keep the deputy's loved ones in their thoughts and prayers.
State of Emergency and Ongoing Warnings
Given the scale of the crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in six counties. This move is designed to rapidly deploy state resources and streamline support for storm response and recovery efforts. Emergency crews and first responders have been mobilised across several coastal and Southern California counties, with the California National Guard also placed on standby.
The National Weather Service's warning remains stark: "Severe, widespread flash flooding is expected... lives and property are in great danger." A winter storm warning is also active for the greater Lake Tahoe region, expected to remain until Friday morning, indicating that the severe weather conditions are far from over.
