A powerful storm system that battered California with relentless wind, rain, and snow is finally beginning to subside, but officials warn the danger is far from over. The state faces ongoing threats from coastal surges, flash flooding, and avalanches following one of its wettest Christmas periods on record.
Widespread Damage and Evacuation Warnings
The severe weather, which has been blamed for at least two deaths, transformed roads into rivers and triggered destructive mudslides. The mountain town of Wrightwood, roughly 80 miles north-east of Los Angeles, was particularly hard hit. Residents there were told to be ready to evacuate as debris flows buried homes and cars under thick mud.
Roads in the 5,000-resident community were left covered in rocks and sludge. With power out, a local gas station and coffee shop running on generators became vital hubs for those stranded. "It's really a crazy Christmas," said Jill Jenkins, who was spending the holiday with her grandson.
Despite the chaos, some families tried to maintain festive spirits. Hunter Lopiccolo, Jenkins' 13-year-old grandson, said the family almost evacuated when water washed away part of their backyard. They decided to stay, and he still received a new snowboard and e-bike. "We just played card games all night with candles and flashlights," he recounted.
Heroic Rescues and a State of Emergency
Amid the destruction, stories of community resilience emerged. Davey Schneider hiked 1.5 miles through knee-deep floodwater from his Wrightwood home on Wednesday to rescue cats from his grandfather's house. "I wanted to help them out because I wasn't confident that they were going to live," Schneider said. "Fortunately, they all lived. They're all OK – just a little bit scared."
With more rain forecast, emergency crews remained on high alert. Over 150 firefighters were stationed in the area, according to San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesperson Shawn Millerick, who stated, "We're ready. It's all hands on deck at this point."
Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in six counties to expedite state assistance. Resources and first responders have been deployed to several coastal and southern counties, with the California National Guard placed on standby.
Ongoing Threats and Historic Rainfall
Although the main storm system is easing, significant hazards persist for Friday. The National Weather Service warned that waves near the San Francisco Bay Area could still reach up to 25 feet (7.6 metres). Parts of southern California, including Malibu, remained under a flood watch, and avalanche risks were high in the Sierra Nevada, particularly around Lake Tahoe.
The storms, fuelled by atmospheric rivers carrying tropical moisture, delivered unprecedented rainfall. Downtown Los Angeles experienced its wettest Christmas season in 54 years, according to the National Weather Service. Meteorologist Mike Wofford noted that while southern California typically gets half an inch to 1 inch of rain at this time of year, many areas saw between 4 and 8 inches this week, with even higher totals in the mountains.
The tragic human cost of the weather included a San Diego man killed by a falling tree and a Sacramento sheriff's deputy who died in what appeared to be a weather-related crash. As clean-up efforts begin, the scale of the recovery facing California is coming sharply into focus.
