A relentless atmospheric river has descended upon Southern California, transforming streets into raging rivers and pushing the region's emergency services to their absolute limits. The storm, described by meteorologists as potentially the most destructive in decades, has prompted urgent evacuation orders affecting thousands of residents across Los Angeles County.
State of Emergency Declared
Governor Gavin Newsom has officially declared a state of emergency for multiple counties as the storm system shows no signs of relenting. Emergency shelters have been rapidly established in schools and community centres, though many are already reaching capacity as displaced residents seek refuge from the rising waters.
Communities Submerged
The city of Long Beach has been particularly hard-hit, with rescue teams working through the night to reach stranded residents. Dramatic footage circulating on social media shows cars completely submerged and emergency personnel navigating residential streets using inflatable boats.
"We haven't seen flooding of this magnitude in generations," stated Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley during a tense press conference. "This is an unprecedented weather event that requires an unprecedented response."
Critical Infrastructure at Risk
The storm's impact extends beyond residential areas, with major concerns emerging about essential services:
- Multiple power outages affecting over 150,000 customers
- Several major highway closures including sections of Interstate 10
- Public transportation systems experiencing significant delays
- Emergency services struggling to reach some affected areas
Weather Warnings Escalate
The National Weather Service has issued its highest-level warning, emphasising that the situation remains extremely dangerous. Meteorologists predict several more hours of intense rainfall before the system begins to move eastward, raising concerns about additional flooding in already saturated areas.
Residents in evacuation zones are being urged to heed official warnings immediately and not attempt to navigate flooded roads. The California National Guard has been activated to assist with rescue operations and security in affected communities.
