LOS ANGELES — A rapid debris flow on Thursday caused a Los Angeles Fire Department vehicle to be swept off the Pacific Coast Highway and into the ocean, as intense rainfall inundated Southern California. The heavy downpours resulted in significant water and mud accumulation along roads at the base of wildfire-scarred hills.
A fire department spokesperson confirmed that one individual was inside the vehicle when it fell into the water near Malibu. Fortunately, the person was able to get out with only minor injuries, as reported on the social media platform X.
In Pacific Palisades, a segment of the highway was overwhelmed with at least 3 feet (approximately 91 centimeters) of sludge, as some drivers attempted to push through the muck. Police officers were seen helping to maneuver one vehicle through the thick mess. Meanwhile, bulldozers were deployed to clear the routes, in an area that had recently been laden with abandoned cars when evacuees from last month’s wildfires converged on the streets.
In Altadena, the Eaton Fire burn scar area experienced another 3 feet (91 centimeters) of debris, comprising mud, vegetation, and tree remnants. This flooding overcame concrete barriers designed to mitigate debris flows, leaving the area mostly deserted.
Further north, adverse weather was causing significant incidents in Oregon and Washington, where snow and ice led to major vehicle pileups on highways, injuring at least 10 individuals as a winter storm hit the Pacific Northwest.
The various storms sweeping through the West Coast are part of a broader wave of severe weather affecting many regions of the U.S., resulting in power outages for tens of thousands of residents.
In light of the worsening conditions, the National Weather Service issued flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of eastern Los Angeles County. The heavy rain triggered rockslides and mud flow in Malibu Canyon, as well as leaving approximately 8 inches (20 centimeters) of mud across a road in the Hollywood Hills.
Hydrologist Brent Bower indicated that Southern California may receive up to 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) of rain in mountainous regions and around 3 inches (nearly 8 centimeters) in coastal areas and valleys before the weather pattern disperses on Friday. Approximately 28,000 residents in California were reported to be without power, and over 200 flights were either delayed or canceled at Los Angeles International Airport, according to flight-tracking resources.
In areas scarred by the Palisades Fire, which is recorded as the most destructive in Los Angeles history, evacuation notices were issued. These burnt landscapes are particularly susceptible to mudslides due to vegetation loss that would ordinarily stabilize the soil. The wildfires left behind loose debris as well, including ash, soil, and rocks.
Authorities took proactive measures by distributing sandbags, positioning rescue swimmers, and urging residents to prepare emergency go-bags. Sandbags and barricades were set in place throughout Altadena, where significant property damage had already occurred due to the Eaton Fire.
The regional weather service advised, “If you can, stay off the roads today, especially during the afternoon and evening.” Malibu schools and the Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park in Orange County were closed in anticipation of the severe weather.
Despite the precipitation from recent storms, Southern California continues to face extreme or severe drought conditions, according to assessments from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Climate scientist Daniel Swain cautioned that while the region is in dire need of rain, the current weather may deliver an excessive amount in a short period.
Residents like Mehran Daoudian in Altadena prepared for the storm by placing a tarp over a fire-affected section of his roof. He expressed gratitude for community efforts to set up sandbags and barriers in their neighborhood. “I kept my cars off the street because the mudslide could sweep them away,” he noted.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, residents faced blackouts, minor landslides, and flooded roads. In the wine country to the north, concerns increased for the flood-prone Russian River, prompting evacuations in Felton Grove as the San Lorenzo River threatened to overflow.
In Nevada, Las Vegas ended an unprecedented 214-day streak without measurable rainfall, as weather reports indicated precipitation in the area.
Northern Utah faced hazardous conditions on mountain roads leading to ski resorts due to a mix of snow and rain. The state Department of Transportation issued warnings about road safety ahead of ongoing winter weather through Friday.
In the Pacific Northwest, first responders conducted thorough searches of vehicles involved in a significant pileup near Multnomah Falls, approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Portland, Oregon. The initial estimates of over 100 vehicles involved were later corrected to about 20 to 30. Four individuals were hospitalized with minor injuries following the incident, which occurred under near-whiteout conditions on Interstate 84. An SUV caught fire during the pileup, but its occupants managed to escape unharmed.
The Multnomah County government declared a state of emergency and opened eight shelters after 489 individuals sought refuge on Wednesday night. Wind chill temperatures in Portland may plunge to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 12 degrees Celsius) according to the National Weather Service.
In southern Washington, a separate pileup involving 22 vehicles on Interstate 5 near the Cowlitz River sent six people to the hospital. Authorities reported 95 traffic incidents across five southwestern counties on Thursday.
Meanwhile, parts of New England faced heavy snow and freezing rain, leading to school cancellations or delays across many districts. Maine State Police investigated a fatal crash involving a tractor-trailer on the Maine Turnpike, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
The severe weather experienced in the East came after two days of substantial snow and freezing rain affecting regions from Kentucky to Washington, D.C., causing numerous traffic accidents and power outages for tens of thousands of customers. As of Thursday evening, about 130,000 customers in Virginia and around 6,600 in North Carolina reportedly remained without electricity.
In Mississippi, the National Weather Service confirmed two short-lived tornadoes on Wednesday, including one that damaged the roof of an industrial facility and affected several homes in Columbia. Fortunately, there were no reports of fatalities or major injuries related to these events, according to the local mayor.
