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Southern California experienced heavy rains on Wednesday evening due to the "atmospheric river" phenomenon, leading to widespread flash flooding and significant mudflows. U.S. authorities warned drivers against going out on the roads and urged residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate immediately or stay in their homes.

Heavy Rains Hit Los Angeles

In the rain-soaked Wrightwood mountain resort, east of Los Angeles, rescue teams spent most of the day responding to dozens of emergency calls, rescuing drivers from their waterlogged vehicles, according to a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

As of Wednesday evening, no injuries or fatalities had been reported, while aerial footage released by the fire department showed rivers of mud sweeping through cabin neighborhoods.

Dense Moisture from the Pacific

The storm, which brought dense moisture from the Pacific, caused rainfall rates of one inch (2.54 cm) or more per hour in some areas.

This storm is expected to continue until Friday, posing a significant risk to road safety during the busy Christmas travel period.

"Life-Threatening" Conditions

The National Weather Service described the conditions as "life-threatening," with widespread flooding expected to continue until Christmas Day. They also issued a flash flood warning for most of Los Angeles County, with a strong advisory for drivers to avoid travel except in emergencies.

Los Angeles city authorities urged residents to comply with evacuation orders issued for about 130 homes particularly at risk of mudslides in the Pacific Palisades area, which was affected by wildfires last year.

Evacuations and Road Closures

In Wrightwood, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department escalated the evacuation warning to a stay-in-place order as flooding worsened, and the Angeles Crest Highway was closed in two sections due to water inundation.

Strong Winds and Snowfall

Local reports indicated that the heavy rains were accompanied by strong winds that knocked down trees and power lines, while heavy snowfall is expected in the higher elevations of the Sierra Mountains.

Some lower areas in the hills recorded rainfall between 4 and 8 inches in the morning, with reports of multiple rockslides and forecasts of more than a foot (30 cm) of rain by the end of the week.

Warning of an Incoming Tornado

The agency issued a rare tornado warning for a small part east of downtown Los Angeles County due to strong thunderstorms over the Alhambra area. Despite the relatively calm rain, experts warned of a second wave of the storm today (Thursday).