California storm updates: State of emergency in effect as flooding, mudslides hit Southern California
An atmospheric river is bringing historic rainfall to Southern California.
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:
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.
“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.
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.
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.
2nd fatality confirmed
Two people have been killed by fallen trees during the powerful California storm.
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 second fatality was 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.
Over 500,000 waking up without power
More than 516,000 customers in California are waking up without power Monday morning as a powerful rainstorm slams the state.
Flash flood warnings and flood advisories are in effect for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.