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Atmospheric River Pounds Southern California as Emergencies Declared and Death Toll Reaches Three

Forecasters warn life‑threatening flooding will persist into Friday with saturated burn scars heightening landslide risk.

Overview

  • Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for multiple counties, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a local emergency to speed rescues and deploy resources.
  • Hundreds of households, including more than 380 properties in hillside areas such as Malibu and Pacific Palisades, were ordered to evacuate or told to prepare to leave.
  • Power outages spread across the state with more than 125,000 customers offline at times as downed trees, flooded roads and debris blocked key routes.
  • Wrightwood in San Bernardino County was inundated by mud and debris flows that stranded residents, prompting overnight efforts to divert water and slurry.
  • The National Weather Service maintained flood alerts through Friday, citing an atmospheric river capable of dropping 25–30+ centimeters of rain, producing mountain snow and even briefly triggering a tornado warning in Los Angeles.