A major winter storm hits California, forcing evacuations in burn areas and threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas.
LOS ANGELES: A major winter storm has rolled into California, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas. The storm threatens flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state.
A “strong atmospheric river brings heavy rain, snow, and wind to California through Friday,” the National Weather Service said. It warned anyone in northern, central and southern parts of the state to “exercise extreme caution.”
“If you’re planning to be out on the roads during the Christmas holiday, please reconsider your plans,” National Weather Service meteorologist Ariel Cohen told reporters.
Driven by an atmospheric river known as “the Pineapple Express,” the storm is expected to dump rain and snow for several days. It moves heavy moisture from Hawaii to the West Coast.
“By the time we get to late Wednesday through Friday, many areas will likely be experiencing significant flooding,” Cohen said. He warned of rockslides and mudslides, especially in high terrain and canyon roadways.
Some Southern California communities could see up to 12 inches of rainfall. In 2025, state officials say 8,019 wildfires killed 31 people and destroyed 525,223 acres across California.
Major fires in Los Angeles burned through residential neighborhoods including the Pacific Palisades at the beginning of the year. “Recent burn areas, including those impacted by the January wildfires, remain highly susceptible to mud and debris flows,” LA county officials said.
More than 200 homes were placed under evacuation orders. Flood watches were in effect for much of Los Angeles County and other parts of the state.
In the Sierra Nevada, more than a foot of snow had already fallen this week. Up to five feet of snow is forecast before the storm is through.
The storm was also expected to bring wind gusts of up to 55 mph across the state. “The combination of increasingly saturated soil and the strong winds will bring the potential for widespread downed trees and power lines,” weather officials warned.
