Heavy Rains and Floods Threaten California on Christmas Day

Much of Southern California remained at risk of potentially deadly floods on Thursday, as heavy rains showed little sign of easing through the week.

Much of Southern California remained at risk of flooding on Christmas Day as heavy rains that have triggered flash floods and evacuations since the weekend showed little sign of easing.

The National Weather Service placed portions of southwest California, including Los Angeles, under a flood warning until 6 a.m. local time on Thursday, meaning conditions could be life-threatening. Forecasters said Los Angeles could receive up to half an inch of additional rain on Christmas Day. Parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties could see as much as 2.5 inches of rain.

A flood watch remains in effect through Friday afternoon for Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.

The rains are being driven by a series of atmospheric rivers, large plumes of moisture flowing over California. Forecasters warned that the rains could trigger mudslides and debris flows, particularly in areas burned by wildfires earlier this year, where scorched soil is less able to absorb rainwater.

Many residents spent Christmas Eve in evacuation centers after authorities ordered mandatory evacuations in parts of Orange, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in those counties, as well as Riverside and Shasta counties.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department said a child with a minor injury was taken to a hospital, the only injury reported in the county overnight. The Weather Service forecast as much as 10 inches of rain overnight in Wrightwood, a ski resort town in San Bernardino, triggering debris flows and disrupting the town’s peak season.

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