Southern Californians are once again evacuating their homes, but this time, the threat comes from heavy rain and debris flows rather than wildfires. Areas still recovering from last month's devastating wildfires are now facing potential destruction due to severe weather conditions.
The most powerful storm to hit parts of California in more than a year has arrived, drenching hundreds of miles across the state. According to the National Weather Service, coastal areas and valleys in Southern California, including the Los Angeles basin, are expected to receive up to 3 inches of rain through Friday, while mountainous regions could face up to 6 inches.
Heavy rain began in Los Angeles County late Thursday morning, with the downpour expected to expand in both scope and intensity throughout the evening, significantly increasing the risk of flooding.
Heavy rain is currently inundating California due to a powerful, atmospheric river-fueled storm. The most intense rainfall is occurring in central parts of the state and moving south along the coast, affecting regions such as San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Flood alerts are in place from the San Francisco Bay Area to coastal portions of Los Angeles County.
Evacuation warnings or orders are in effect for communities near fire-scarred areas in Southern California, where the risk of debris flows and mudslides is significant. Areas under these alerts include portions of San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Orange, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties, including Malibu. In Santa Cruz County, evacuation warnings are issued for low-lying areas at risk of flooding along the San Lorenzo River. Authorities are taking proactive measures to notify residents.
The threat of flooding extends beyond burn scars, as heavy rain poses a risk of flash flooding on roads, particularly in urban or poorly drained areas across both Northern and Southern California. Numerous rock and mudslides have already been reported in the Santa Cruz Mountains, south of San Francisco.
Officials are working tirelessly to prepare areas at risk. In Los Angeles County, efforts include cleaning debris basins, installing concrete barriers, and placing sandbags in fire zones to protect storm drains and filter debris. Search-and-rescue teams, deputies, and helicopters are on standby for rapid response if necessary.
Residents like John Carr from Pacific Palisades have taken measures to protect their homes, yet the danger of mudslides and debris flows remains due to fire-scorched hillsides lacking vegetation. The California Conservation Corps has deployed erosion control measures to prevent contamination of waterways.
Col. Eric Swenson of the Army Corps of Engineers highlighted the acute threat in communities like Altadena and the Palisades, where homes are precariously positioned on steep slopes. "The biggest concern is soil instability," he said, warning of potential slides if water accumulates rapidly.
If conditions become too dangerous, operations may be suspended to protect crews. California's rapid-response system, coordinated by state and local agencies, is poised to activate in the event of a mudslide.
The recent wildfires have devastated entire neighborhoods, with many homes reduced to ash. "The sheer scale of destruction raises concerns for residents wanting to return to their homes," Swenson noted.
California's wildfire insurance system is under significant strain. The state Insurance Department announced the need for an additional $1 billion to cover claims from January's wildfires. The Eaton and Palisades Fires alone are expected to cost $4 billion. Private insurers like Allstate have reduced coverage due to rising wildfire risks.
While California battles heavy rain and debris flows, parts of the eastern US are dealing with the aftermath of two deadly winter storms. The storms brought severe weather to the South, with at least four tornadoes impacting Mississippi and Alabama. Additional storms caused significant damage in Columbia, Mississippi, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The cold side of these winter storms impacted the central and eastern US with snow and ice, particularly affecting Virginia, where over a foot of snow and damaging ice disrupted power and travel. Over 160,000 homes and businesses were without power in Virginia as of Thursday, with some areas potentially facing extended outages.
These severe conditions contributed to numerous vehicle crashes across several states, with tragic accidents reported in Kentucky and Missouri.
This report was compiled with contributions from CNN's Rebekah Riess, Lauren Mascarenhas, Kelly McCleary, Christine Sever, and Amanda Musa.
