California Flooding: State of Emergency Declared Amid Sto...

California's Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as heavy rain, gusty winds and flooding prompted evacuations across multiple counties including Los Angeles.

The National Weather Service (NWS) also issued warnings for winter storms, high winds, avalanches, and gales as Southern California prepares for its wettest Christmas in years.

Multiple evacuation warnings have been issued for potential flash floods and mudslides, particularly in areas scorched by January's wildfires. Los Angeles County officials said Tuesday they were going door to door to about 380 especially vulnerable homes to order residents to evacuate.

"Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly," said the National Weather Service (NWS) in its warning for the Los Angeles area issued at 6:35 a.m. PST (9:35 a.m. ET). There was also a risk of rock and mud slides in the affected areas.

Weather experts have also warned of potential white-out snow conditions in the mountains and hazardous travel for millions of holiday drivers.

What To Know

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department also issued an evacuation warning Wednesday for Wrightwood, a resort town in the San Gabriel Mountains, about 80 miles northeast of L.A. due to mudslides.
Social media videos show mud and debris cascading down the road as crews rushed to evacuate some homes.
Meanwhile, much of the Californian coast, including Malibu, the Sacramento Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area, were under flood warnings Wednesday, local officials said.
Counties with flash flood warnings in place for the morning included Fresno, Madera, Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo.
Two inches of rain fell within an hour in some areas, with up to eight inches expected in some areas, the NWS said.
Meteorologists said there is an "extreme risk" posed to people caught up in the flooding.

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Dec 24, 2025 at 07:05 PM EST

Gale warnings issued by NWS for San Francisco Bay

Dangerous marine conditions are developing across San Francisco Bay and adjacent coastal waters, with Gale Warnings in effect through early Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. South winds of 20 to 40 knots, with gusts ranging from 50 to as high as 65 knots, are expected across the bay, the Delta, and coastal waters from Point Reyes to Point Pinos. Extremely rough to very rough seas are forecast, with wave heights building into the mid to upper teens offshore.

Forecasters warn that the strong winds and hazardous seas could capsize or damage vessels and significantly reduce visibility. Conditions will be especially dangerous for small craft, but all mariners are urged to use caution. Officials recommend remaining in port, seeking safe harbor, or securing vessels until conditions improve, as the gale-force winds are expected to peak overnight before gradually easing later Friday.

Dec 24, 2025 at 06:49 PM EST

Avalanche Warning issued for Mount Shasta area in California

Extremely dangerous avalanche conditions are expected in the Mount Shasta backcountry, in Northern California, through Friday afternoon, according to the USDA Forest Service Mount Shasta Avalanche Center. An Avalanche Warning is in effect for south-central Siskiyou County as multiple winter storms bring heavy snow and strong winds, with the highest risk developing late Wednesday night and continuing through Friday.

Up to five feet of new snow above 6,000 feet, combined with wind gusts over 60 mph and fluctuating snow levels, is creating a highly unstable snowpack. Avalanche-prone areas including Mount Shasta, Castle Lake, and nearby terrain — especially large runout zones such as Avalanche Gulch and the Old Ski Bowl — should be avoided. Officials strongly advise against traveling in or near avalanche terrain and urge backcountry users to check daily avalanche forecasts before heading out.

Dec 24, 2025 at 06:28 PM EST

IN PICTURES: Christmas Eve flooding pictures across California

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Dec 24, 2025 at 06:16 PM EST

New map shows swathe of California under flash flood warning

A map from the National Weather Service shows the areas in California under a flash flood warning on Wednesday.

Anyone in the area, which includes Los Angeles and Long Beach, are advised to move immediately to higher ground and to avoid walking or driving through flood waters,

Dec 24, 2025 at 06:01 PM EST

High Wind Warnings in effect across Northern, Central California

Strong winds are expected to sweep across much of Northern and Central California, with High Wind Warnings in effect from Wednesday evening through Thursday or early Friday, according to the National Weather Service. The warnings cover a wide area, including the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, Motherlode, coastal Humboldt and Mendocino counties, the Sonoma Coast Range, the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey Bay, and the Big Sur coast. Forecasts call for sustained south winds of 20 to 35 mph, with gusts ranging from 60 to as high as 70 mph in exposed coastal and ridge-top locations.

The strongest winds are expected overnight Wednesday into Thursday, following a brief lull earlier in the day. Meteorologists warn that saturated soils combined with powerful gusts significantly increase the risk of downed trees and power lines, potentially leading to widespread power outages. Coastal headlands, interior hills, and valleys funneling south winds are likely to see the most severe impacts, while inland population centers such as Sacramento, Stockton, Chico, Modesto, and Redding could also experience damaging gusts.

Travel conditions may become hazardous, especially for high-profile vehicles on highways and bridges, including the Carquinez Strait and Delta region. Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items, including holiday decorations and temporary structures, and to use caution while driving. Officials also recommend preparing for possible power outages and staying alert for falling debris and tree limbs as the wind event intensifies.

Dec 24, 2025 at 05:47 PM EST

Winter Storm Warnings issued for California

A powerful winter storm is bearing down on much of Northern and Central California, prompting widespread Winter Storm Warnings through Friday from multiple National Weather Service offices. Heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions are expected across the Sierra Nevada, Cascade ranges, and higher elevations of Northern California, including the Lake Tahoe region, Yosemite National Park, Siskiyou County, Trinity County, and the Eastern Sierra. In many mountain areas, snow will fall through Friday morning or evening, with some warnings extending until late Friday night.

Snow accumulations are expected to be extreme at higher elevations. Forecasts call for one to three feet of snow in many mountain zones, with several locations — including Yosemite’s high country, the upper Sierra, and parts of the Northern Sierra and Eastern Sierra — potentially seeing totals measured in multiple feet. Snow levels will fluctuate but are expected to drop as low as 3,500 to 4,500 feet in some regions, bringing hazardous conditions to major mountain passes. Winds gusting between 45 and 100 mph along ridges could lead to whiteout conditions, falling trees, and power outages.

Officials warn that travel may be very difficult to impossible at times, with chain controls, road closures, and sudden visibility drops likely across affected highways, including Interstate 5 near Mount Shasta, U.S. 395, and numerous Sierra passes. Drivers are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, carry emergency supplies, and check the latest road conditions through Caltrans or by dialing 511. The storm is expected to significantly disrupt holiday travel and outdoor activities, with conditions remaining dangerous through the end of the week.

Dec 24, 2025 at 05:35 PM EST

New graphic shows powerful storm sweeping across California, bringing heavy rain and floods

Dec 24, 2025 at 05:33 PM EST

Newsom declares state of emergency in California

California's Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as heavy rain, gusty winds and flooding prompted evacuations across multiple counties including Los Angeles.

"California is acting early and decisively to do all we can to get ahead of dangerous winter storms," Newsom said in a statement.

Newsom said he has directed state agencies to pre-deploy emergency resources across the state to assist with the evacuation efforts, as well as recovery and restoration.

Dec 24, 2025 at 05:19 PM EST

Flash flood warning issued on Christmas Eve as weather threatens West Coast

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued "life-threatening" flash flood warnings for parts of Southern California on Christmas Eve as heavy rainstorms unleashed on the area, including potentially damaging high winds.

"Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly," said the NWS in its warning for the Los Angeles area issued at 6:35 a.m. PST (9:35 a.m. ET).

There was also a risk of rock and mud slides in the affected areas.

Counties with flash flood warnings in place for the morning included Fresno, Madera, Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo.

As much as two inches of rain had fallen within an hour in some areas. There was a threat of up to eight inches of rain in parts, the NWS said.

Meteorologists said there is an "extreme risk" posed to people caught up in the flooding. Safety advice includes never driving through flooded roads and staying away from creeks and streams.

Anthony Duarte, a meteorologist with Univision, said, "Transverse Ranges just outside of Los Angeles could receive more than 10 inches of rain in isolated areas, likely resulting in significant to life-threatening flash flooding, mudslides, and rockfalls."

Dec 24, 2025 at 05:09 PM EST

NWS warns flooding risk will continue through Christmas Eve

Dec 24, 2025 at 05:01 PM EST

Travel disruptions and emergency measures

The storm's timing created significant holiday travel headaches, with multiple major road and canyon closures, delays and flight disruptions.

Officials urged residents to stay off the roads whenever possible and to check weather and road conditions before attempting to travel. The dangerous conditions have already resulted in flooding, downed trees and power outages across Los Angeles County and neighboring regions.

Several attractions have been closed because of the storm, including the L.A. Zoo and Six Flags Magic Mountain, KNBC reported.

Residents have been advised to bring pets indoors, use flashlights instead of candles, report non-emergency damage via 311 and assume all downed power lines are electrified and dangerous.

Dec 24, 2025 at 04:50 PM EST

Record rainfall, flooding and evacuations

The storm responsible for the warning is a long-duration atmospheric river event forecast to dump 4 to 8 inches of rain across urban Los Angeles, with up to a foot in mountain and foothill areas.

The heaviest rainfall is expected on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, putting nearly all of Los Angeles County at risk for life-threatening floods, rockslides and mudslides.

The threat also extends from southeast Santa Barbara through Ventura County and into central Los Angeles County.

“We haven’t had an atmospheric weather event like this in some time, probably more than four or five years,” Mark Pestrella, director of L.A. County Public Works, told KTLA on Tuesday.

County officials issued mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders for nearly 400 properties in areas burned by recent wildfires because of the heightened risk of mud and debris flows, the LAist reported.

Residents in Pasadena, Altadena, Ventura County and other affected zones worked to protect homes with sandbags and prepared for possible displacement. Emergency crews and law enforcement officers went door-to-door to notify those at highest risk.

Dec 24, 2025 at 04:45 PM EST

Los Angeles tornado warning amid powerful Christmas storm

A rare tornado warning was issued and later canceled in Los Angeles County on Wednesday as a massive winter storm brought record rainfall, strong winds and dangerous conditions during the Christmas holiday period.

The latest warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) came as residents already face the threat evacuations, flash flooding and severe travel disruptions across Southern California.

The alert, which expired at 10:45 a.m. local time, said people in the areas of Altadena, Pasadena, Alhambra, Monterey Park and East Los Angeles should take cover.

Read in full: Los Angeles Tornado Warning Amid Powerful Christmas Storm

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