CRIME & LAW

Southern California Hit by Major Christmas Atmospheric River

PUBLISHED Dec 23, 2025, 2:37 PM ET

Read, Watch or Listen

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 12

Center 67%

Right 33%

Sources: 12

Los Angeles: A powerful atmospheric river, the Pineapple Express, struck Southern California, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and mountain snow that forced hundreds to evacuate, triggered flash flood and mudslide warnings and prompted a state of emergency. National Weather Service forecasters issued flood watches and urged travelers to reconsider Christmas plans as officials delivered about 380 evacuation notices to vulnerable homes and conducted door‑to‑door checks. Emergency crews reported water rescues and road closures while public works monitored saturated slopes near recent burn scars. Officials urged residents to obey warnings and evacuate when ordered. Based on 11 articles reviewed and research.

By Shahbaz A. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Dec 23: National Weather Service warns of a strong atmospheric river impacting California.
Dec 23: Officials issue evacuation warnings and urge residents to reconsider Christmas travel.
Dec 23–24: Los Angeles County conducts door‑to‑door checks and delivers roughly 380 evacuation notices.
Dec 24 (Christmas Eve): Heavy rain triggers flash floods, mudslides and water rescues in several regions.
Dec 24–25: Governor declares state of emergency; crews continue rescues and monitor burn‑scarred slopes.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 12
Right Leaning:: 4
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 8
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 67%, Right 33%

Who Benefited

State and local emergency management agencies obtained emergency authorities and access to funds and resources to mobilize response and coordinate evacuations under the declared state of emergency.

Who Impacted

Residents in burn‑scarred hillsides, low‑lying neighborhoods and coastal communities suffered evacuations, travel disruptions, localized flooding, debris flows and power outages during the storm.