A powerful atmospheric river unleashed destruction across Southern California, sending debris flows rushing down wildfire-scorched hillsides.
One of the most dramatic moments came when a vehicle was swept off a highway into the ocean in Malibu.
A Los Angeles firefighter inside the car managed to escape with minor injuries, according to officials.
Roads Buried in Mud, Evacuations Ordered
In Pacific Palisades, a major intersection was submerged under three feet of sludge, forcing police to push stranded vehicles through the muck. Bulldozers worked to clear debris from roads still reeling from last month’s deadly wildfires.
Nearby in Altadena, floodwaters overwhelmed concrete barriers meant to prevent mudslides, leaving entire roads buried under feet of mud and uprooted trees. In Sierra Madre, evacuation orders were issued for residents near the Eaton Fire burn scar, with authorities warning they would be unable to reach anyone who remained in the danger zone.
Supermarket Roof Collapses, Tornado Threat Looms
As the storm intensified, the roof of a grocery store in Azusa partially collapsed while shoppers were inside. Fortunately, everyone escaped unharmed. Meanwhile, meteorologists were investigating whether a possible tornado struck a mobile home park in Oxnard, where winds topped 60 mph.
Pacific Northwest Iced Over as Chaos Spreads
While California battled floodwaters, the Pacific Northwest was hit by a brutal winter storm. Near Portland, a pileup involving up to 30 vehicles left multiple people injured. In Washington, another 22-car crash sent six people to the hospital. Emergency shelters were packed as wind chills dipped below freezing.
Too Much Rain, Too Fast
Despite California’s ongoing drought, experts warned that this storm may be dumping too much rain too quickly. Flash floods, rockslides, and power outages continue to plague the state. More than 30,000 homes were left in the dark, and officials are bracing for further destruction in the coming days.
