A powerful winter storm that drenched Southern California has begun to ease, but forecasters warn a second system is poised to deliver more rain and possible thunderstorms on Christmas Day. This threatens to make it the region's wettest Christmas in years, exacerbating dangerous flash flooding and mudslide risks, particularly in areas left vulnerable by recent wildfires.
Communities Isolated and Homes Threatened
Rescue efforts were underway on Wednesday as the initial storm's fury took hold. San Bernardino County firefighters rescued multiple people trapped in cars after mud and debris cascaded down a road into Wrightwood, a mountain resort town roughly 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The exact number of rescues was not immediately clear.
Firefighters conducted door-to-door checks in affected areas, with some communities under shelter-in-place orders. An evacuation order was issued for Lytle Creek, also in the San Gabriel Mountains, where resident Travis Guenther and his family were trapped after raging waters destroyed the only bridge in or out of their neighbourhood. More than a dozen neighbours sought refuge at a community centre or in hotels.
"Everybody that left to go to work this morning is stuck," Guenther said. "Half the families are here, and half the families are on the other side of the creek." He reported coordinating with others in the community of about 280 people, with local nurses offering medical assistance.
Kindness Amidst the Crisis
The storm's impact was deeply personal for many. Janice Quick, President of the Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce, noted that a 2024 wildfire had stripped the terrain of protective tree cover, increasing landslide risks. Meanwhile, visitor Dillan Brown, stranded in a rented cabin with his wife and 14-month-old daughter, faced dwindling supplies.
After a resident posted a plea for help in a local Facebook group, neighbours responded within an hour, delivering bread, vegetables, milk, diapers, and wipes. "I think we're a little sad and upset that we're not going to be home with our families," Brown said, but called the community's "kindness shown is definitely an overwhelming feeling."
Widespread Warnings and State Emergency
The danger extended beyond the mountains. Evacuation orders were also issued for residents near the Airport Fire burn scar in Orange County. Coastal areas like Malibu faced flood warnings, while wind and flood advisories covered much of the Sacramento Valley and San Francisco Bay Area. Part of Interstate 5 near Burbank Airport closed due to flooding.
Meteorologist Mike Wofford of the National Weather Service stated that while Southern California typically sees half an inch to 1 inch of rain in late December, many areas this week could see between 4 and 8 inches, with even higher totals in the mountains. The deluge is driven by multiple atmospheric rivers channelling tropical moisture during a peak travel week.
In response to the crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties, mobilising state resources and placing the California National Guard on standby. The storm's toll was tragically underscored by the death of a Sacramento sheriff's deputy, James Caravallo, in a crash on a wet road south of Sacramento that the California Highway Patrol described as weather-related.
The severe weather also brought heavy snow and treacherous travel to the Sierra Nevada, with a "considerable" avalanche risk around Lake Tahoe. A winter storm warning remains in effect until Friday morning.
