Heavy rainstorms battered California over Christmas, causing fatal floods and mudslides that left three people dead and prompted widespread evacuations and emergency declarations. The record-breaking storm, driven by atmospheric rivers, dumped months worth of rain in just days, overwhelming communities and causing significant disruption during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
The three deaths occurred in distinct incidents across the state. In San Diego, a 64-year-old man was killed on Christmas Eve morning when a massive tree collapsed onto him in the City Heights neighborhood. Family members identified him as Roberto Ruiz, who was moving his car when the incident happened. Earlier, a person died in Redding on Sunday after floodwaters trapped them in a vehicle, despite rescue attempts by police. Additionally, on Monday, a woman in her 70s was knocked off rocks by a large wave and swept into the ocean at MacKerricher State Park in Mendocino County.
Emergency responders have been scrambling to perform numerous rescues. In one dramatic incident, the Los Angeles County Fire Department saved a 50-year-old man stranded on the hood of his car with his cat and dog in Sunland-Tujunga. Authorities reported widespread road closures, water rescues, and door-to-door evacuations as torrents of mud and debris surged through areas scarred by recent wildfires.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino, mobilizing additional state resources and placing the California National Guard on standby. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also declared an emergency, warning residents to avoid travel and stay cautious on roads. “Please do not take this storm lightly,” she emphasized in a statement.
The storm system unleashed torrential rainfall, with parts of Los Angeles County receiving up to 11 inches of rain. Flash flood warnings were issued across Southern California, and wind speeds reached over 100 mph in the San Francisco Bay Area. The heavy rains exacerbated conditions in burn scar zones from January’s wildfires, where lack of vegetation increased the risk of debris flows and mudslides.
Evacuation orders affected hundreds of homes, particularly in San Bernardino County, where communities like Wrightwood saw roads buried in mud. Over 99,000 customers were without power at the height of the storm, and major highways were shut down. In Wrightwood, a local gas station running on generators became a gathering point for stranded residents and holiday travelers.
The timing during Christmas added to the disruption, with families celebrating under the threat of floods and power outages. Officials warned that the storm was expected to continue through Friday, with another wave bringing renewed flooding risks before conditions improve over the weekend. Meteorologists noted that this is one of the wettest Christmas periods in years.
As cleanup efforts commence, the death toll highlights the severe impact of this historic weather event. The storm underscores the vulnerabilities of California to extreme weather, particularly in areas affected by wildfires, and the importance of preparedness during holiday seasons. With sunny weather forecasted to follow, communities now face the task of recovery and rebuilding.
