As of Friday afternoon, December 26, 2025, Southern California is grappling with the aftermath of a powerful atmospheric river that brought the wettest Christmas season to Los Angeles in over 50 years. While the heaviest rain is beginning to taper off, dangerous conditions persist due to saturated soil and ongoing runoff.
Current Warnings & Alerts
* Flood Watch: Remained in effect through Friday afternoon for Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.
* Flash Flood Risk: A "Slight Risk" (Level 2 of 4) for excessive rainfall continues today. Small streams and urban areas remain highly susceptible to rapid rises.
* Evacuation Orders: Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for several areas, most notably Wrightwood (San Bernardino County), where mudslides have buried homes and cars. Evacuation warnings for recent burn scar areas around LA County are also active through Friday morning.
Major Incidents & Impact
* Wrightwood Mudslides: Massive debris flows have turned streets into "rivers of mud." Some residents were rescued from trapped vehicles, and Highway 2 leading into the town was washed out.
* Los Angeles Rescues: Firefighters have rescued over 100 people since Thursday, including a helicopter operation to save 21 people from stranded cars.
* Casualties: At least three deaths statewide have been linked to this storm system, including a motorist in Northern California and a sheriff's deputy in a weather-related crash.
* Emergency Declarations: Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta counties.
Road Closures & Infrastructure
Over 90 road closures are currently reported across LA County alone. Key closures and issues include:
* I-5 Freeway: Significant flooding has occurred in the Sun Valley and Sylmar areas.
* SR-18: All lanes closed at Sheep Creek Road in Phelan due to active flooding.
* US-101: Reduced lanes in Ventura (near Seward Ave) due to flooding.
* Local Roads: Extensive closures in Palmdale, Lancaster, and the Santa Monica Mountains due to mud, debris, and fallen trees.
Forecast Outlook
The storm is expected to "wind down" through Friday evening, with only scattered light showers remaining overnight. Saturday is forecast to be dry, though temperatures will remain cool. However, officials warn that even light rain today could trigger additional mudslides because the ground is already at maximum capacity.
> Safety Tip: "Turn around, don't drown." Most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles. Do not attempt to drive through water-covered roads or bypass road closure barriers.
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