Southern California Hit by Major Christmas Atmospheric River
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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.
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Timeline
- 1. Dec 23: National Weather Service warns of a strong atmospheric river impacting California.
- 2. Dec 23: Officials issue evacuation warnings and urge residents to reconsider Christmas travel.
- 3. Dec 23–24: Los Angeles County conducts door‑to‑door checks and delivers roughly 380 evacuation notices.
- 4. Dec 24 (Christmas Eve): Heavy rain triggers flash floods, mudslides and water rescues in several regions.
- 5. Dec 24–25: Governor declares state of emergency; crews continue rescues and monitor burn‑scarred slopes.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
