Post by : Meena Ariff

Severe rainstorms sweeping across large parts of California have caused widespread flooding and mudslides, leaving at least three people dead as of Christmas night, according to local authorities.

The powerful storm system, expected to persist through Friday, dumped as much as 11 inches of rain in some areas of Los Angeles County. The intense rainfall led to evacuations, submerged roads and the shutdown of several major highways. Emergency crews carried out multiple rescues, including saving people trapped inside vehicles as floodwaters rapidly rose.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday for Los Angeles and several other southern California counties as conditions worsened. By Thursday evening, nearly 100,000 residents across the state were without electricity.

Weather officials warned that the danger was far from over. The US Weather Prediction Center said numerous flash flooding incidents were possible, adding that rising water levels could cause streams and larger rivers to overflow.

Authorities confirmed that a 64-year-old man in San Diego died after being struck by a falling tree during the storm early Wednesday. In northern California, a 74-year-old man lost his life after floodwaters overtook his vehicle in Redding while police attempted a rescue. Earlier in the week, a woman in her 70s was killed along the Mendocino County coast after being swept into the ocean by a powerful wave.

Evacuation alerts were issued in parts of San Bernardino County, while flash flood warnings covered sections of the San Francisco Bay Area. Strong winds battered the region, with gusts exceeding 100 miles per hour recorded near San Jose.

In areas near Los Angeles, including Altadena, flooding triggered mudslides in zones previously damaged by wildfires, where scorched land struggled to absorb heavy rainfall. City officials warned residents to remain cautious, particularly during the busy holiday travel period.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stressing that the storm posed serious risks.

Meteorologists said the extreme weather was fueled by multiple atmospheric rivers, drawing vast amounts of moisture from the tropics and intensifying rainfall during one of the year’s busiest travel weeks.

#Global News