Chaos in California Today! Flooding Debris Flow Swept Away Homes, Cars in Los Angeles

Chaos in California Today! Flooding Debris Flow Swept Away Homes, Cars in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, normally ablaze with sparkling Christmas lights and family celebrations, witnessed one of the most devastating natural disasters in its modern history in December 2025. A powerful winter storm, accompanied by the atmospheric phenomenon Pineapple Express, dumped extreme rainfall that triggered widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages. This event killed at least three people, injured dozens more, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. The storm began on the evening of December 24th. Skies darkened, torrential rain fell relentlessly, and strong winds shook trees. The National Weather Service (NWS) had warned of a plume of water vapor from the Pacific Ocean that would hit Southern California, but the intensity of the rain exceeded expectations. Within 48 hours, rainfall reached more than 150 millimeters in some areas, equivalent to the monthly average. Rivers overflowed, roads turned into torrents, and hillside areas experienced landslides. Fatalities began being reported in the early hours of December 25th. A 64-year-old man was killed by a falling tree in his yard. A 74-year-old man in Redding died due to storm conditions, while a motorist was swept away by floodwaters in Ventura. The death toll has now reached at least four, with dozens more injured. Local governments immediately declared a state of emergency. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta. Rescue teams were deployed to evacuate landslide-prone areas, particularly in hilly areas previously affected by wildfires. Bare and fragile soil caused heavy rains to trigger mudflows, blocking roads and destroying hillside homes.



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