Torrential rains inundated the California coast on Christmas Eve, causing numerous flash floods and even short-lived tornado warnings, turning roads into rivers and sending debris cascading down hillsides.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Shasta counties as the rare and dangerous threat of flooding descended on Southern California, which was devastated by wildfires just a year ago.
More than 43 million Americans in California, southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona are under a flood watch Wednesday amid a rare, high risk of excessive rainfall and flooding.
Life-threatening flood threat.
ABC News
This includes large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, California, San Diego and Las Vegas.
Heavy debris flows caused by heavy rain have prompted mandatory evacuations in Wrightwood, California, and the main mountain road, Highway 2, is impassable, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
At least one person died in an “apparently weather-related accident” amid heavy rain in Sacramento County, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A series of atmospheric rivers brought high-intensity rain and strong winds, increasing the risk of flooding, landslides and rapidly rising streams and rivers.
“California is acting early and decisively to do everything possible to get ahead of dangerous winter storms. The state has positioned resources, activated emergency authorities, and we are working closely with local partners to protect communities and keep Californians safe,” Newsom said in a statement Wednesday.
Heavy debris flows in San Bernardino County as Highway 2 floods, December 24, 2025 in Wrightwood, California.
San Bernardino County Fire/X
There is a “high risk of excessive rain” for Los Angeles, including I-10 from San Bernardino to Santa Monica and areas north such as Highway 101 to Thousand Oaks, I-5 to Burbank, Santa Clarita and as far as Pyramid Lake and all of I-210. Traveling on these roads is not recommended as they may be flooded, officials said. According to forecasts, the low-lying neighborhoods in these areas could also be flooded.
Being under a “high risk” designation is rare. This risk only occurs about 4% of days, accounting for one-third of all flood-related deaths and 80% of all flood-related damage, according to the NWS.
Potential flood impacts include the threat of significant and widespread flooding on urban roads, a high risk of large rock/mudslides, and rapid rises in creeks, streams and rivers that will likely lead to rapid water rescues.
Recent burn scars will risk causing potentially damaging debris flows. These flood impacts will likely cause significant travel delays and road closures during the busy holiday period.
Rain and snow potential.
ABC News
Winds are forecast to blow 40 to 50 mph across the area, which could cause power outages Wednesday, according to forecasts. Storms are also possible.
More than 100,000 customers have been left without power in California.
Heavier rain is expected Wednesday morning and afternoon. Rainfall of 1 inch per hour or more is expected.
Thunderstorms will still be possible, so people should be on the lookout for lightning falling from the clouds to the ground.
A brief tornado cannot be ruled out today along the entire California coast, so pay attention to any tornado warnings that are issued.
At 6 pm or 7 pm PT, the rain will briefly end before more rain arrives overnight.
Additional rainfall is expected on Thursday and Friday, and the threat of flooding along with risks of landslides and mudslides will also continue each day.
