Deadly storm slams California with flooding rainfall, damaging winds

The strongest Pacific storm of this winter season slammed California with heavy rain, significant snowfall, high winds and travel disruptions on Saturday.

A member of the Ventura County search-and-rescue team was killed and nine other people were injured in a car crash on Saturday morning amid heavy rain near Pyramid Lake.

The team was at the scene of another vehicle crash on Interstate 5 when a minivan lost control on the wet roadway and plowed into members of the team, according to the Associated Press.

"This is a very unfortunate situation that could've been avoided," Los Angeles County fire Capt. Tony Imbrenda said, warning motorists to slow down in the rain.

A general 1-3 inches of rain poured down across the state, with localized amounts in excess of 5 inches.

The heavy rain caused excessive runoff, with debris flows reported downstream of the Holy and Woolsey fire burn scars.

Ahead of the storm, evacuations were ordered or recommended for communities at a high risk for debris flows and mudslides due to recent wildfires.

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Stretches of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County and the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu were closed due to high water, mud and debris over the road.

Caltrans crews worked to clear the mud that was as high as 3 feet deep on some roads, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Santa Barbara City College canceled all Saturday classes due to the storm.

Ventura County officials and the National Weather Service told residents to stay away from the Matilija Dam area due to very heavy flow. Nearly 5 inches of rain was reported in the area.

A tornado warning was in effect for portions of Butte, Colusa and Glenn counties on Saturday afternoon. While no tornadoes were confirmed, there were reports of funnel clouds.

Gusty winds accompanied the storm, knocking down trees and power lines and leaving over 33,000 customers without power.

On Catalina Island, a 67-mph wind gust was recorded early Saturday morning.

Feet of snow buried the higher terrain, with difficult travel reported over I-80's Donner Pass.

Additional rain and mountain snow into Tuesday will threaten to delay cleanup efforts, trigger more travel disruptions and create new or worsening flooding problems.