California Storm: Emergency Declared Over Christmas

A severe atmospheric storm swept across California over the Christmas holiday, triggering a state of emergency declared by Governor Gavin Newsom. The storm brought torrential rain and fierce winds, leading to life-threatening floods and mudslides across Southern California. By Christmas morning, over 163,000 homes and businesses were without power, and emergency crews were responding to multiple fatalities and rescue calls.

The National Weather Service maintained flood and wind advisories for 'life-threatening' storm conditions until Thursday afternoon. The town of Wrightwood was hit particularly hard, with residents describing the devastation as the worst flooding they had witnessed in decades. The storm is expected to continue affecting the state through December 26.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday for six counties across California. The declaration covers Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta counties. This move authorizes state resources to assist local authorities in responding to the crisis.

The National Weather Service issued dire warnings, characterizing the flood and mudslide risks as 'life-threatening.' Some areas had already received between 4 to 8 inches of rain by Wednesday morning. The storm is classified as an atmospheric river, specifically a 'Pineapple Express,' which is responsible for 30 to 50% of California's rainfall.

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles issued a public statement urging caution: "I am urging all Angelenos to stay safe and be extremely careful on the roads if you absolutely must travel. Please do not take this storm lightly."

The storm caused widespread infrastructure damage and hazardous conditions throughout the state. The Santa Barbara airport set a record for rainfall on Christmas Eve, receiving 3 inches of rain. In Wrightwood, located approximately 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, the devastation was visible with cars buried in mud and sections of California State Route 138 washing away.

Power outages were a major issue, with poweroutage.us reporting that over 163,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity on Christmas morning. The outages were heavily concentrated in Northern California.

Residents in the hardest-hit areas described the scene as catastrophic. One local resident told reporters it was "the worst flooding I've ever seen." Sarah Bailey, a resident of the Wrightwood area for two decades, echoed this sentiment, confirming it was the worst flooding she had experienced.

Emergency crews faced a chaotic night on Wednesday, responding to dozens of rescue calls. The San Bernardino County Fire Department reported receiving "dozens" of rescue calls. Crews were actively pulling people from flooded cars and homes, with some individuals requiring helicopter rescue from their rooftops.

Tragically, the storm has resulted in loss of life. Earlier in the week, the Redding Police Department reported one storm-related fatality in Northern California. Two additional deaths occurred in South Sacramento and San Diego.

Despite the storm beginning to move out of the region, officials warn that flooding remains a significant concern. Additional rainfall expected on the 25th and 26th could exacerbate conditions, particularly in areas already devastated by wildfires earlier in the year.