California storm responsible for at least 2 deaths, with possibly more heavy rain and mudslides

Southern California is bracing for a powerful new storm system Thursday that could cause more flooding and mudslides, a day after heavy rain and gusty winds were blamed for at least two deaths.

Forecasters said the region could experience its wettest Christmas in years, increasing the risk of debris flows in areas ravaged by wildfires in January. These areas of burn scars have been stripped of vegetation by fire and are less able to absorb water.

A falling tree killed a San Diego man on Wednesday, local media reported. Farther north, a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy died in what appears to be a weather-related accident.

San Bernardino County firefighters said they rescued people stuck in cars when mud and debris rushed onto a road leading to Wrightwood, a resort town in the San Gabriel Mountains about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles. It is not yet known how many people have been rescued.

Firefighters also went door to door to check homes and the area was sheltered in place, officials said. An evacuation order was issued for Lytle Creek, also in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Travis Guenther and his family were trapped in Lytle Creek after roaring waters swept away the only bridge entering or exiting their neighborhood.

Everyone who left for work this morning is stuck. Half the families are here and half the families are across the creek.-Travis Gunther

More than a dozen neighbors took refuge in a community center or found hotel rooms.

“Everyone who left for work this morning is stuck,” he said. “Half the families are here and half the families are across the creek.”

Guenther said he has enough supplies and is coordinating with other members of the community of about 280 people. Two nurses who live on his street have offered to help anyone who needs medical attention.

Few trees in a city affected by a forest fire

Janice Quick, president of the Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce and a 45-year resident of the mountain town, said a wildfire in 2024 left much of the land without tree cover.

The storm also stranded Dillan Brown, his wife and 14-month-old daughter in a rented cabin in Wrightwood, with almost no food and just enough diapers for about another day. Roads leading to the mountain and a grocery store were blocked by rocks and debris, Brown said.

A resident posted a cry for help in a Facebook group. Within an hour, neighbors arrived with enough supplies to weather the storm, including bread, vegetables, milk, diapers and wipes.

“I think we’re a little sad and upset that we can’t be home with our families,” Brown said, but “the kindness shown is definitely an overwhelming feeling.”

Residents around burn areas from the Orange County Airport fire were also ordered to evacuate.

Areas along the coast, including Malibu, were under a flood watch through Friday afternoon, and wind and flood advisories were issued for much of the Sacramento Valley and San Francisco Bay area.

Several roads, including part of Interstate 5 near the Burbank Airport, were closed due to flooding.

The storms were the result of several atmospheric rivers carrying huge plumes of moisture from the tropics during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

Southern California typically gets between 1.3 and 2.5 centimeters of rain this time of year, but this week many areas could see between 10 and 20 centimeters, and even more in the mountains, said National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford.

Snow at high altitude

Heavy snow and gusts created “near whiteout conditions” in parts of the Sierra Nevada and made travel through mountain passes treacherous. Authorities said there was a “considerable” avalanche risk around Lake Tahoe and a winter storm warning was in effect until Friday morning.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties to allow state aid in response to the storm.

The state deployed emergency resources and first responders to several coastal and Southern California counties, and the California National Guard was on standby.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported an apparent weather-related crash south of Sacramento in which a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy died.

James Caravallo, who had worked for the agency for 19 years, was apparently driving at an unsafe speed, lost control on a wet road and crashed into a utility pole, Michael Harper, a CHP officer, said by email.