Key Takeaways
- A strong storm system brought relentless winds, rain, and snowfall to California, causing flash flooding, high surf, and avalanches.
- The storm system was expected to ease by Friday, but risks of high surf, flash flooding, and avalanches remained.
- Residents in the mountain town of Wrightwood were warned to be ready to evacuate due to mudslides.
- The storms were blamed for at least two deaths and left over 70,000 homes and businesses without power.
- The National Weather Service reported that the flooding threat would be exacerbated due to the super saturation of the area.
Introduction to the Storm System
A strong storm system that brought relentless winds, rain, and snowfall to California was expected to ease by Friday. However, the state was still at risk of high surf along the coast, flash flooding near Los Angeles, and avalanches in the Sierra Nevada. The storm system, which was fueled by atmospheric rivers carrying massive plumes of moisture from the tropics, caused widespread damage and disruption throughout the state. The storms were blamed for at least two deaths earlier in the week, and over 70,000 homes and businesses were left without power overnight, according to Find Energy.
Weather Conditions and Warnings
The National Weather Service warned that waves near the San Francisco Bay Area could reach up to 25 feet on Friday, and parts of Southern California were at risk of flooding. Avalanches could also hit the Lake Tahoe area, officials warned. Residents in the mountain town of Wrightwood, located about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, were told to be ready to evacuate due to mudslides. The town’s roads were covered in rocks, debris, and thick mud, and a gas station and coffee shop running on generators were serving as hubs for residents and visitors. The National Weather Service also warned that the flooding threat would be exacerbated due to the super saturation of the area, stating that "any rainfall that occurs will immediately turn to runoff."
Storm Damage and Response
The storm system brought the wettest Christmas season to downtown Los Angeles in 54 years, according to the National Weather Service. The town of Wrightwood was particularly hard hit, with roads covered in rocks, debris, and thick mud. A car was buried in mud, and a resident’s home was damaged, with the owner walking on the roof to assess the damage. More than 150 firefighters were stationed in the area, and the San Bernardino County Fire spokesman Shawn Millerick stated that "we’re ready" and that "it’s all hands on deck at this point." A falling tree killed a San Diego man, and a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy died in what appeared to be a weather-related crash.
State Response and Declarations
Governor Gavin Newsom declared emergencies in six counties to allow state assistance. The state deployed resources and first responders to several coastal and Southern California counties, and the California National Guard was on standby. The declarations and deployment of resources were aimed at supporting the affected communities and ensuring public safety. The storm system was expected to continue causing disruptions and damage, and the state’s response was crucial in mitigating the effects of the storm.
Conclusion and Ongoing Weather Conditions
The storm system was expected to ease by Friday, but the risks of high surf, flash flooding, and avalanches remained. Southern California typically gets half an inch to 1 inch of rain this time of year, but this week many areas could see between 4 and 8 inches, with even more in the mountains, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford. More wind and heavy snow were expected in the Sierra Nevada, where gusts created "near white-out conditions" and made mountain pass travel treacherous. The state’s residents were advised to remain vigilant and follow the latest weather updates and warnings to ensure their safety.
