Dangerous river hits Los Angeles area
Heavy rains from a deadly atmospheric river storm that hit Southern California caused extensive damage to homes as rocks and debris tumbled down hills in the Los Angeles area. FOX weather correspondent Max Gaulden was in the Beverly Glen neighborhood of Los Angeles where a landslide blew a house off its foundation.
Los Angeles – At least three people have been killed and hundreds of landslides and mudslides have been reported as a result of a powerful atmospheric river storm that has battered California with torrential rain and hurricane-force wind gusts over the past few days.
Southern California, including the Los Angeles area, bore the brunt of the storm, with relentless rain soaking the City of Angels resulting in devastating flooding.
More than 7 inches of rain fell in Los Angeles from Sunday to Monday, making it the third-highest two-day rainfall total on record. The city's average annual rainfall is 14.25 inches, with half of that falling in just 48 hours.
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On Monday, February 5, 2024, flooding was seen in the Los Angeles area. (Robert Ray)
Residents were asked to stay off the roads on Monday after the storm caused landslides and flooding on roads and highways across the region.
Several quick water rescues were carried out after vehicles became stuck trying to navigate flooded roads.
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More than 300 landslides reported
'We're trapped': Hundreds of landslides cover roads with debris and cause extensive damage to Los Angeles-area homes
A powerful and deadly atmospheric river storm battered Southern California this week with torrential rain, leading to numerous reports of flooding and hundreds of landslides. FOX weather correspondent Robert Ray was in Los Angeles on Tuesday and spoke with a homeowner who said he was trapped in his home due to the storm.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, 307 landslides and landslides have been reported in the Los Angeles area alone. Gorge roads north of Sunset Boulevard and south of Mulholland Drive were the hardest hit.
Among the damage, at least 35 buildings require inspection to ensure they are safe. At least five buildings were declared unsafe for entry, and seven others sustained significant damage.
The Ministry of Public Works reported that more than 250 trees and branches fell and nearly 160 potholes were left in the roads.
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Mud and debris can be seen at Beverly Glen in Los Angeles. (FOX Weather)
Thousands of first responders were pre-positioned ahead of the storm, and California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in eight counties to assist with storm response and recovery efforts.
“Our first responders have been actively responding to this historic storm since yesterday afternoon,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Monday night. “I spent time meeting with Angelenos affected by the storm and with the fire chief. The city is taking action to protect our most vulnerable Angelenos during this storm. We will continue to work around the clock to help those in need.”
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At least three people killed after falling tree
Landslide occurs in Beverly Crest
A landslide in Beverly Crest, California, near Beverly Hills, destroyed a house and forced the evacuation of 10 neighbors from five nearby homes early Monday.
There were no reports of deaths from the atmospheric river storm in Southern California, but at least three people died in the storm in Northern California, officials said. Wind gusts reached 60 to 70 mph in the inland valley, with gusts of 64 mph reported in Sacramento.
However, at higher elevations, the wind gusts were much stronger and rivaled a Category 5 hurricane.
California's top wind report. (FOX Weather)
On Sunday, wind gusts of 162 mph were recorded at Ward Mountain in Lake Tahoe, and the ski area Palisades Tahoe Saw wind gusts of 148 miles per hour. In Mono County, wind gusts reached up to 195 mph atop Mammoth Mountain.
Northern California City Police Department Yuba Cityabout 40 miles north sacramento, Said They responded to a report of a tree falling on a man on Tres Picos Street on Sunday.
Police said the unidentified victim appeared to be trying to use a ladder to push the tree away from his home when it fell on him.
When officers arrived, they said they found the man under a large redwood tree and attempted to resuscitate him, but were unsuccessful., and was pronounced dead.
See the destruction caused by an atmospheric river sweeping through California.
A second person was also killed when a tree fell on their Boulder Creek home.
Officials said two people were inside the home when the tree fell on it. One person was able to escape, but a 45-year-old man was trapped inside and died.
And in Sacramento County, a tree fell on a 41-year-old man Sunday during a storm. The man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Deadly storm impacts California for third day
Deadly atmospheric river continues to affect millions in California for three days
The threat of flooding in Southern California continued for a third day on Tuesday, extending to parts of Arizona and Nevada as a river storm with dangerous atmosphere dumped historic amounts of rainfall on the region.
Atmospheric river storm conditions will continue to affect California for a third day Tuesday, but the FOX Prediction Center says the effects will not be as extreme as seen Monday.
“Today will be a day of change as a major rain band moves east into Arizona and Nevada,” the FOX Prediction Center said. “Then, the cold air aloft will promote the development of atmospheric energy.”
An exclusive FOX Models Future Track shows rain continuing across California and moving into Arizona and Nevada. (FOX Weather)
As a result, precipitation across California will vary from widespread rain to scattered showers, heavy rain, and some thunderstorms.
These storms can produce heavy rainfall, but the spread of activity greatly reduces the risk of damage and widespread flooding. However, the ground is still extremely saturated, so landslides and landslides remain a concern.
Additionally, there may be enough energy and atmospheric twisting for some storms to produce weak tornadoes.
Flood watch operations have expanded to include parts of Arizona, including Phoenix and Yuma, as well as Nevada.
A flash flood warning remains in effect for areas of southeastern Los Angeles County until 12:30 PM PST. Locations within the warning zone include Whittier, Hacienda Heights, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, Diamond Bar, La Habra Heights and La Mirada.
Heavy snowfall is expected to continue in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, adding several feet to the snow that has already fallen.
The event is expected to subside by Wednesday, but another disruption will bring rain and mountain snow to California once again.
However, precipitation totals typically remain less than 1 inch. However, the ground is saturated and minor flooding may occur.
