California is on high alert after a deadly flooding incident, with forecasters warning of a brutal series of storms set to drench the state throughout the Christmas week. The severe weather, driven by a potent atmospheric river, threatens extensive rainfall, high winds, and significant flood risks.
Fatality and Rescue Efforts in Northern California
One person has died in Redding, northern California, after becoming trapped in a vehicle amid rising floodwaters on Sunday. According to the city's mayor, Mike Littau, emergency services received a 911 call from an individual whose car was filling with water. Police officers entered the water, broke the car windows, and pulled the victim out, administering CPR. Sadly, the person did not survive. The exact cause of death remains under investigation.
Mayor Littau used social media to warn residents of more severe impacts expected from Tuesday to Friday, urging the public to use Monday to prepare. "Today is a good day to prepare, as we know more rain is coming," he wrote on Facebook.
'Pineapple Express' Atmospheric River Targets State
A powerful weather system known as a Pineapple Express—an atmospheric river originating near Hawaii—is forecast to channel relentless storms across California this week. Southern California, in particular, is bracing for what could be its most significant Christmas storm in years.
Forecasters predict torrential rain will begin hitting the region on Tuesday, continuing through Saturday. Coastal areas are expected to receive 4 to 8 inches (10cm to 20cm) of rain, while foothills could see between 8 and 12 inches. The combination of saturated ground and intense rainfall raises serious concerns about further flooding, mudslides, and debris flows, especially in areas scarred by recent wildfires like the Eaton and Palisades fires.
Regional Warnings and Emergency Preparations
In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass has announced a flash flood warning effective from Tuesday. She emphasised that city personnel, including first responders and public works crews, are mobilising for the severe weather. Residents planning holiday travel are urged to exercise extreme caution on the roads, plan ahead, and stay informed.
The city is also deploying teams from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to distribute supplies and hotel vouchers to people living outdoors. This proactive measure aims to protect some of the most vulnerable populations from the life-threatening conditions.
This week's severe weather follows an already exceptionally wet period for the US West Coast. An unusually strong atmospheric river in December caused deadly flooding, levee breaches, and power outages in Oregon and Washington. Furthermore, a major autumn storm in late November dumped 5.5 inches of rain on Los Angeles, marking the wettest November in decades for the city.
With the ground already saturated, the imminent Pineapple Express system poses a severe test for California's infrastructure and emergency services during the busy holiday period.
