A powerful winter storm hammered California on Wednesday, triggering widespread flooding and mudslides that forced mass evacuations and dramatic rescues. The storm intensified on Tuesday night and peaked on Christmas Eve, creating what authorities described as life-threatening conditions.
In a high-stakes operation early Wednesday morning, Los Angeles firefighters pulled a man from a storm drain near a river in the city’s northwest. While the victim underwent medical checks, officials confirmed no injuries were reported in that specific incident.
State of Emergency
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta counties. The move fast-tracks civil protection resources and personnel to the front lines. Meteorologists warned that successive «atmospheric rivers»—narrow bands of intense moisture from the Pacific—will continue to rake the state, heightening the risk of flash floods during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.
Burn scars and evacuation orders
The threat is most acute in areas recently scorched by wildfires, where the unstable ground offers no resistance to heavy rain. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties, identifying roughly 380 homes as high-risk.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell urged residents to flee, warning that «the threat is real and immediate.» County Sheriff Robert Luna echoed the plea, stating that escape might become impossible once the storm reaches its full fury.
Wind damage and landslides
Gale-force winds exceeding 95 km/h tore through Los Angeles County, toppling trees and snapping power lines. To combat the deluge, emergency crews installed protective barriers on fire-damaged slopes and distributed free sandbags to locals.
The impact on the ground has been severe:
Infrastructure: Flooding forced the closure of multiple roads across the metropolitan area.
Travel: Authorities warned of airport delays and highway blockages.
National Guard: Units have been placed on standby to assist with the response.
While some residents in Malibu expressed deep fears of landslides, others have chosen to ignore evacuation orders despite the warnings. «It has been an extremely difficult year,» noted one resident whose neighbourhood was devastated by the major fire in January.
(information from protothema.gr)
