An unrelenting atmospheric river has settled over Southern California, unleashing widespread chaos, including power outages, landslides, and life-threatening floods. Stay tuned for our live coverage as we detail the critical events.
- Persistent High Flood Risk: Southern California, including Los Angeles, faces an elevated flood risk as a continuous downpour worsens conditions throughout Monday. The National Weather Service in San Diego warns of possible “locally catastrophic” flooding in Orange County through Tuesday.
- Elevated Power Outages: Nearly 600,000 customers in California, particularly along the coast, are grappling with power outages caused by strong winds and heavy rain. Santa Clara experienced winds reaching 98 mph, while San Francisco International Airport saw winds near 60 mph.
- Tragic Fatality in Yuba City: A man in Yuba City lost his life on Sunday as a large redwood tree fell during winds of nearly 50 mph. The incident occurred as he attempted to clear the tree using a ladder, according to the Yuba City Police Department.
- Historic Rainfall in Los Angeles: Downtown Los Angeles witnessed a record-breaking 4.10 inches of rain on Sunday, marking the wettest day in two decades. This surpasses the rainfall observed on December 28, 2004.
- Unprecedented Rainfall Risk: The Weather Prediction Center issued a rare Level 4 of 4 excessive rainfall risk for over 14 million people in Southern California on Monday. Widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected, exceeding a month’s worth of rain for most areas in just a few days.
- Life-Threatening Landslides and Flash Flooding: An “extremely dangerous situation” unfolds in the Hollywood Hills and around the Santa Monica Mountains. Evacuations are underway in areas including Malibu, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Burbank, with the potential for damaging landslides, flooded roadways, and submerged vehicles.
- Officials Enforce Evacuation Orders: Evacuation orders were issued in Santa Barbara, San José, Los Angeles, and Ventura County over the weekend. Door-to-door warnings were conducted in Sun Valley, California, with residents near Mission Creek in Santa Barbara evacuated.
- Mountain Travel Disruptions: Significant snowfall in eastern California and along Nevada’s border, with Sierra Nevada expecting accumulation rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour. Travel above 5,000-6,000 feet is deemed “near impossible” due to whiteout conditions.
- Schools Disrupted: Severe weather prompts several school districts in Santa Barbara County to cancel classes on Monday, while California State University Fullerton shifts to remote learning.
As this atmospheric river continues to pummel California, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for multiple counties. The prolonged impacts are expected to persist through Tuesday, urging residents to stay off roads and remain vigilant in this perilous weather situation.
