California storm updates: 'This storm continues … take precautions,' mayor warns

An atmospheric river is bringing historic rainfall to Southern California.

Last Updated: February 6, 2024, 3:17 PM EST

A second storm within one week is pummeling California with heavy rain and life-threatening flooding.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued a state of emergency for counties including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura, where floodwaters and mudslides have swept through roadways.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Feb 05, 2024, 4:43 PM EST

3 people killed by fallen trees

Three people have been killed by fallen trees during the monster storm slamming California.

A fallen tree lies atop a car, as atmospheric river hitting California has caused damage across the state including downed trees, mudslides and swiftwater rescues in Los Angeles, CA, Feb. 5, 2024.
David Swanson/Reuters

A man in Carmichael died after a tree fell on him, a Sacramento County spokesperson said Monday.

A tree fell on a house in Boulder Creek on Sunday, killing one resident inside, according to the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department. A second person managed to escape the home, authorities said.

The third fatality was recorded in Yuba City. An 82-year-old man was in his backyard on Sunday when he was killed by a falling redwood tree, Yuba City police said.

Feb 05, 2024, 3:13 PM EST

Flash flooding, mudslides ongoing threat from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles to San Diego

Flash flooding and mudslides are an ongoing threat from Santa Barbara to San Diego on Monday, with the Los Angeles area in the bull’s-eye, as a historic atmospheric river storm slams Southern California.

People stand in floodwater during a storm in Santa Barbara, CA, Feb. 4, 2024.
Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ten inches of rain fell in some areas of Southern California. Many spots saw more than a month’s worth of rain over the last 24 hours.

Los Angeles recorded over 4 inches of rain in 24 hours, marking the city’s wettest day since December 2004.

An SUV sits buried by a mudslide in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles, Feb. 5, 2024.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

A hillside collapse is seen during a rainstorm in Studio City, Calif., Feb. 5, 2024.
ABC News

The heavy rain and flooding will continue through Tuesday morning. Another 2 to 4 inches of rain is possible from Los Angeles to San Diego.

By Tuesday afternoon, the downpours will wind down. By Wednesday morning, the showers will linger in Southern California and most of the heavy rain will move into Arizona.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

Feb 05, 2024, 2:46 PM EST

Over 130 flooding incidents reported in LA

Los Angeles has seen 2 to 5 inches of rain, while the Santa Monica mountains and Topanga Canyon area on the outskirts of Los Angeles are facing 5 to 10 inches of rain, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said at a news conference Monday.

The fire department has responded to over 130 flooding incidents and 49 mudslide and debris flow incidents, and Los Angeles police recorded more than 65 traffic collisions, Crowley said.

A car gets trapped in a mudslide in Beverly Hills, CA, Feb. 5, 2024.
Clarissa Gonzalez/ABC

PHOTO: Storm damage from mud, rock and debris flows along Lockridge road in Studio City, CA,  Feb. 5, 2024.
Storm damage from mud, rock and debris flows along Lockridge road in Studio City, CA, Feb. 5, 2024.
Medianews Group/los Angeles Dail/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

“Overall, the county has weathered the storm well,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.

The atmospheric river event will continue through Tuesday, bringing another 1 to 3 inches of rainfall to Los Angeles, Crowley said.

A car and various objects lay on the street during an ongoing rain storm in Studio City, CA, Feb. 5, 2024.
Aude Guerrucci/Reuters

Feb 05, 2024, 1:45 PM EST

Cars trapped on flooded roads, drivers rescued amid extreme rainfall

Evacuation orders and evacuation warnings have been issued in some parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Orange counties as life-threatening flooding hits the region, trapping people in cars and forcing residents to evacuate their homes.

Water pours down Fryman Rd. during a rain storm in Studio City, CA, Feb. 5, 2024.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

In Los Angeles’ Baldwin Hills neighborhood, about six cars crashed while heading down a hill where the road was partly covered with mudslide debris, according to Los Angeles police. Multiple people were injured and one person might have suffered a broken leg, police said.

In San Bernardino County, three people were trying to drive across a flooded road when the car became submerged, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. The three people clung to a tree and were rescued, officials said.

In Los Angeles’ Studio City neighborhood, firefighters rescued 16 residents after debris flow damaged homes, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. No one was injured, officials said.

Storm damage from mud, rock and debris flows along Lockridge road in Studio City, CA, Feb. 5, 2024.
Medianews Group/los Angeles Dail/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

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