Powerful winter storms battered Southern California over the Christmas period, bringing the region its wettest holiday season in years and triggering widespread flooding, mudslides and emergency rescues. Torrential rainfall caused hillsides to collapse, rivers to overflow and homes to be damaged or buried under mud and debris. Although rainfall eased by Friday, weather officials warned that the danger was not yet over, with the risk of flash floods and landslides still present in several areas.
The National Weather Service said the worst of the storm had largely passed, but cautioned that unstable conditions remained. Meteorologist Mike Wofford said that while the rain had slowed, the ground remained saturated and vulnerable to further damage. Emergency crews remained on high alert across Los Angeles and surrounding counties as water continued to run through streets and low-lying neighborhoods.
In Los Angeles County alone, firefighters carried out more than 100 rescues on Thursday. One helicopter crew pulled 21 people from vehicles stranded by floodwaters. The city also saw more than 350 traffic collisions during the storm, according to officials. Mud and debris flows overwhelmed roads, trapping motorists and forcing emergency responders into near-constant action.
The mountain town of Wrightwood, located about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, was among the hardest hit. Relentless rain turned streets into rivers, buried cars up to their windows, and destroyed homes. Residents described scenes of chaos as mud and rocks swept through the community. Sherry Tocco, a local resident, said her neighborhood was devastated, with several houses destroyed. Although her home escaped the worst damage, she was forced to evacuate and spent Christmas Eve sleeping in her car.
Power outages affected much of Wrightwood, leaving residents scrambling for supplies. Local hardware store manager Eric Faulkner said demand for fire starters, logs and propane surged as people tried to cope without electricity. Long-time resident Manny Simpson described the storm as the worst he had experienced in 14 years, saying that although his basement flooded, he felt fortunate compared to neighbors whose homes were severely damaged.
Nearby Lytle Creek also suffered heavy destruction. Floodwaters washed out a bridge, cutting off access to parts of the community. Residents reported that water levels eventually receded enough for people to cross on foot, but homes had already sustained extensive damage. In one case, as much as four feet of mud and debris filled a house after water burst through the front door. Some residents were trapped inside their homes as rivers of mud rushed past on both sides.
As California dealt with flooding and landslides, other parts of the country braced for severe winter weather. Forecasters warned that a new storm system could bring New York City its heaviest snowfall in three years. Freezing rain fell in parts of Pennsylvania, while New York State declared an emergency ahead of expected heavy snowfall. Authorities in Connecticut also urged residents to avoid travel as conditions worsened across the Northeast.
The scale of rainfall in California was historic. Downtown Los Angeles recorded its wettest Christmas season in 54 years, with nearly three inches of rain falling in just three days. Some parts of Ventura County received as much as 17 inches. Although forecasters predicted a brief dry spell over the weekend, additional rain was expected around New Year’s Eve.
In the Sierra Nevada, conditions turned especially dangerous. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area reported more than five feet of snow since Tuesday, and two ski patrollers were injured in an avalanche and taken to hospital. Strong winds and heavy snowfall made travel hazardous, and a backcountry skier had to be rescued after being buried in an avalanche near Mount Rose.
Elsewhere in Northern California, high winds and flooding caused widespread disruption. Nearly half of all flights at San Francisco International Airport were delayed due to poor weather. Flood watches remained in effect, and heavy snowfall was expected to continue in mountainous regions. Authorities reported multiple fatalities linked to the storm, including a man killed by a falling tree in San Diego and a sheriff’s deputy who died in a weather-related crash near Sacramento.
As rescue and recovery operations continued, officials urged residents to remain cautious, avoid flooded areas, and follow emergency advisories. While the heaviest rain had passed, the damage left behind underscored the severity of the storm system and the continuing risks posed by extreme winter weather across the United States.
