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

An atmospheric river is bringing historic rainfall to Southern California.

Last Updated: February 5, 2024, 10:17 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, 9:58 PM EST

LAFD rescues man and dog from LA River

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel rescued a man and his dog from the Los Angeles River Monday.

Around 2:45 p.m. PT, authorities received a report from a bystander that a man had jumped into the water to rescue his dog. Fire crews responded and found that the dog had managed to swim to the edge and escape the rapids.

Los Angeles firefighters rescued a man who got caught in fast-moving water while trying to save his dog.
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Firefighters rescue man who was trying to save dog from rushing water

Los Angeles firefighters rescued a man who got caught in fast-moving water while trying to save his dog.

The LAFD Air Operations lowered a rescuer into the water and they were able to grab the man, who was still conscious. They were hoisted into the aircraft, LAFD said, and the patient was taken to a local hospital.

The dog was taken to a shelter for temporary care.

At a press conference Monday night, officials said LA County Fire had rescued 16 people from flooding conditions and five cats.

-ABC News' Marilyn Heck

Feb 05, 2024, 4:50 PM EST

Flash flood warning in Los Angeles area extended to 6 p.m. PT

A flash flood warning that covers the Los Angeles-area cities of Glendale, Pasadena and Santa Clarita has been extended until 6 p.m. local time.

A flood advisory covering all of LA County is in effect until 3 p.m. local time.

A house stands on top of a landslide, caused by the ongoing rain storm in Encino, CA, Feb. 5, 2024.
Aude Guerrucci/Reuters

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

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