California storm leaves four dead as flooding wipes out homes and triggers mass evacuations: Live

A storm that unleashed biblical proportions of rain on California over the past three days started to ease Tuesday, but officials warned residents not to let their guard down yet.

Most of the southern half of the state remained under flood watches Tuesday, and alerts were issued about fast-moving waterways.

A person died Tuesday trying to cross the US-Mexico border into California across the Tijuana River channel, US Customs and Border Protection said. The incident brought the death toll to four after falling trees killed three people in northern California as the region was slammed by hurricane-force winds.

In Los Angeles County, 16 people and five cats were rescued, the Associated Press reported.

The rain is likely to ease into Wednesday. Scattered thunderstorms are still possible in parts of California, the lower Colorado River Valley and Arizona.

The storm, caused by a massive atmospheric river, led to one of the wettest two-day periods in southern California record.In LA’s Westwood neighbourhood, nearly 12 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, according to US Stormwatch. Nearly 400 mudslides have cascaded through Los Angeles, leaving an unknown number of homes damaged.

As of Tuesday evening, more than 125,000 people remain without power.

Key Points

• Three killed by falling trees as life-threatening storm batters California

• More than 300 landslides reported across California

• Rain could ease on Tuesday but flooding risk remains

• UCLA records 1-in-1,000 year rainfall event on Monday

• California flooding in pictures as ‘1 in 1000 year’ storm wreaks havoc

More heavy downpours for San Diego

15:33 , Louise Boyle

The National Weather Service reported on Wednesday morning that the most widespread showers will continue to move inland into San Diego County with brief heavy downpours.

Watch: Rain erodes California cliff prompting evacuation of nearby residences

15:23 , Louise Boyle

Watch: California storm causes fatal flooding as mass evacuations are put into effect

15:00 , Mike Bedigan

14:47 , Louise Boyle

A cliffside collapse in Santa Barbara County on Tuesday has led to the evacuation of dozens of people.The oceanfront apartment complex in Isla Vista was left on the edge of the precipice following days of rain and strong winds pounded southern California.

Some 45 were evacuated, according to the local fire department, who shared drone footage of the incident. Video showed a guardrail tipping towards the ocean and cracked patio paving.

The power slowly comes back on in California

14:38 , Louise Boyle

Power was being restored across California on Wednesday after nearly half a million households were left in darkness this weekend due to the severe storm.

Just over 69,000 customers were without power on Wednesday, mostly in the northern half of the state.

Those homes were located in the wine country counties of Napa and Sonoma, and then further south in Monterrey, according to utility tracker Poweroutage.us.

‘It was mayhem’: Los Angeles residents survey damage caused by historic California storms

14:30 , Mike Bedigan

Firefighters responded to a heavy debris flow in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles on Sunday night, evacuating seven homes. Residents tell Mike Bedigan they had “not even remotely had anything like this before”.

Read the full story here:

‘It was mayhem’: LA residents survey damage caused by historic California storms

ICYMI: California flooding in pictures as ‘1 in 1000 year’ storm wreaks havoc

14:00 , Katie Hawkinson

A historic storm has deluged California over the past three days, bringing record amounts of rainfall and hundreds of catastrophic mudslides.

The storm is a “1-in-1000 year” rainfall event with Los Angeles’ Westwood neighbourhood recording nearly 12 inches of rain in 24 hours, according to the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. The storm is the second major event in two weeks to strike the region, powered by an atmospheric river dragging in moisture from the ocean.

More than 300 landslides were reported in LA alone, the fire department said.

Forecasters predicted the rain will begin to ease later on Tuesday. However, the threat of flooding remains high as the ground is extremely saturated, the National Weather Service said.

See the shocking photos of storm damage throughout California:

Photos: ‘1 in 1000 year’ storm wreaks havoc in California

Watch as speedboat takes dogs to safety after overflowing river trapped them

13:00 , Katie Hawkinson

ICYMI:San Diego officials warn of potential price gougers

12:00 , Louise Boyle

Local government officials in San Diego urged residents to report any incidents of price gouging during the storm on essential items like housing, gas, food and other necessary supplies.

“Price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal. Here’s where to report it,” wrote San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, sharing a link on X.

California saw raw sewage spills amid heavy rain

11:00 , Katie Hawkinson

On Monday, 1,000,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into California’s Dominguez Channel, which leads to the Pacific Ocean. Los Angeles County Public Health officials closed the Cabrillo Beach Ocean Waters in San Pedro as a result. The beach will remain closed until officials can conduct bacterial testing, officials said.

Meanwhile, two separate sewage spills have impacted beaches in Long Beach, California.

Approximately five million gallons of sewage spilled into the Dominguez Channel, subsequently running off into the Port of Long Beach and Compton Creek leading to the Los Angeles River, according to a statement from the City of Long Beach.

Another 40,000 gallons of sewage were also released into the City of Commerce in a separate incident, according to city officials.

“These spills occurred early this morning, prompting immediate action from local authorities,” the city’s statement reads. “The exact cause of the sewage spills is currently under investigation, with capacity issues due to heavy rains and potential sewer damage being considered as possible factors.”

Heavy cloudburst forecast for Wednesday

10:06 , Stuti Mishra

While the storm has eased and Southern California was expected to begin drying out in a day, a surge of heavy rain in a short period is expected over Los Angeles with some areas areas also expected to see a few inches of rain.

The forecast shows California can expect a sunny weekend, but saturated grounds means there is still some risk of mudslides on Wednesday.

ICYMI: Four rescued after avalanche at Nevada ski resort

09:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Four people who were reported missing after an avalanche at a Nevada ski resort have been found safe.

The avalanche hit the Lee Canyon ski resort on Monday in south Nevada, around an hour outside of Las Vegas.

Search and rescue teams from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department were called to the site to try and locate several people who were reported missing.

They announced on X on Monday that four people were initially reported missing, but now everyone has been located and is safe, adding that they were assisting people off the mountain.

Lee Canyon has experienced about one to two feet of snow within the past two days and will be closed on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Amelia Neath has more...

Four rescued after avalanche at Nevada ski resort

ICYMI: Border crossing death reported

07:00 , Louise Boyle

A person died on Tuesday as they tried to cross the US-Mexico border into California, US Customs and Border Protection said.

The individual was swept away in the Tijuana River channel which has become swollen due to the storm conditions.

A San Diego lifeguard raft was unable to reach the person before they died, the agency said, according to a report from AP.

'We’re not done with this storm yet'

06:04 , Stuti Mishra

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass has issued a new message asking LA residents to stay prepared for more rain.

"We cannot drop our guard. We are expecting rain this evening and a surge of heavy rains in a short period of time that may impact tomorrow's commute. And as was described this morning, our hillsides are already saturated."

"We are at zero storm-related fatalities and that is again due to Angelinos heeding our warning."

“And as always, we urge just to say, stay safe.”

475 mudslides reported from LA

05:30 , Stuti Mishra

Officials say there have been a total of 475 mudslides in Los Angeles since the storm began over the weekend.

Thirty-eight buildings now need inspection due to mudslides and slope failures.

The city has also, at its most recent count, a record of 390 fallen trees and branches and 441 potholes. Authorities also said they've cleared 963 catch basins and stormwater conveyance systems.

ICYMI: California firefighters post warning about downed power lines

05:01 , Katie Hawkinson

California firefighters in Placer County, east of Sacramento, posted a warning about the danger of downed power lines.

In the video, downed lines can be seen sparking and even catching fire despite the saturated vegetation. “If you see down lines, call and report, do not touch or attempt to cross,” CAL Fire warned.

Watch: California storm causes fatal flooding as mass evacuations are put into effect

04:30 , Mike Bedigan

ICYMI: Stay away from water, LA officials warn

04:00 , Louise Boyle

Los Angeles county officials warned residents to stay away from streams and rivers due to the serious dangers they posed following the severe storm.

LA County shared a video of firefighters and law enforcement officials on a bridge in the city overlooking a fast-flowing current. “The water can rise quickly and without warning, sweeping away people and objects in its path,” wrote the county of LA.

ICYMI: High-elevation regions of Southern California braced for more snow Tuesday

03:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Californians living at higher elevations were forecasted to have continued snowfall throughout Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Up to 24 inches have already blanketed high-elevation areas of Mount Baldy in Southern California, the NWS reports.

Snow has already devastated a Nevada ski resort, where emergency crews had to rescue four people trapped by an avalanche on Monday.

End of storm ‘in sight’ but Angelenos warned to stay vigilant

02:30 , Mike Bedigan

Big California storms bring big numbers

02:15 , Mike Bedigan

The past few days have seen the atmospheric weather systems batter California, record rainfall, wind gusts and mudslides – in some cases smashing previous state records.

Here are some of the big numbers, per the Associated Press, that have been reported since Sunday:

12 inches: One of the rainiest spots in Los Angeles County was in the hills of Bel Air. The neighbourhood – which is around 12 miles to the northwest of the city received 12.01 inches of rain between Sunday and Tuesday morning.

In just two days, downtown Los Angeles got soaked by more than 7 inches — nearly half of the 14.25 inches it normally gets per year, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). According to the NWS despite being just six days into the month it is already the 13th wettest February on record.

102 mph: An immensley powerful wind gust was recorded Sunday at Pablo Point, at an elevation of 932 feet, in Marin County, just north of San Francisco.

While just missing the December 1995 record of 103 mph at Angel Island, “102 is very, very impressive,” said meteorologist Nicole Sarment at the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office.

The top 10 strongest gusts — between 102 and 89 mph — recorded at the height of the weekend’s winds were all in Marin and nearby Santa Clara County, the weather service said.

383: According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), by Tuesday morning, emergency crews had responded to almost 400 mudslides across Los Angeles.

The mudslides closed roads across the city and prompted ongoing evacuation orders in canyon neighborhoods with burn scars from recent wildfires. That number could rise because rain was still falling, saturating already sodden hillsides that threatened to give way, authorities said.

So far seven buildings have been deemed uninhabitable, with at least 10 were yellow-tagged, meaning residents could go back to get their belongings but could not stay there because of the damage.

ICYMI: Nearly 50 people evacuated from cliffside community

02:00 , Katie Hawkinson

45 people from Isla Vista, California have been evacuated from their homes after rain dangerously eroded a cliff, local outlet News Channel 3-12 reports.

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps said no injuries have been reported as local officials evacuate the area.

“The storms underscore the pressing need for bluff and cliff safety, as seen by a bluff facing balcony collapse at a private property in IV this morning,” Ms Capps said in a statement.

‘It was mayhem’: Los Angeles residents survey damage caused by historic California storms

01:30

Firefighters responded to a heavy debris flow in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles on Sunday night, evacuating seven homes. Residents tell Mike Bedigan they had ‘not even remotely had anything like this before’

Read the story here:

‘It was mayhem’: LA residents survey damage caused by historic California storms

See the swirling atmospheric river that dumped historic rainfall on California this week

01:00 , Katie Hawkinson

SEE IT: Rushing floodwaters devastate Los Angeles neighbourhoods

00:00 , Katie Hawkinson

100,000+ Californians without power into Tuesday afternoon

Tuesday 6 February 2024 23:00 , Katie Hawkinson

More than 120,000 homes in California are without power going into Tuesday afternoon local time, according to PowerOutage.us.

Officials are warning residents to stay away from the downed powerlines causing many of these outages.

“If you see down lines, call and report, do not touch or attempt to cross,” officials with the CAL Fire unit for Nevada-Yuba-Placer posted on X.

SEE IT: Stunning video shows floodwaters rushing through California’s Trabuco Canyon

Tuesday 6 February 2024 22:40 , Katie Hawkinson

San Diego officials warn of potential price gougers

Tuesday 6 February 2024 22:25 , Louise Boyle

Local government officials in San Diego urged residents to report any incidents of price gouging during the storm on essential items like housing, gas, food and other necessary supplies.“

Price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal. Here’s where to report it,” wrote San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, sharing a link on X.

Heavy rain was a contributing cause to raw sewage spills in California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 22:14 , Katie Hawkinson

On Monday, 1,000,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into California’s Dominguez Channel, which leads to the Pacific Ocean. Los Angeles County Public Health officials closed the Cabrillo Beach Ocean Waters in San Pedro as a result. The beach will remain closed until officials can conduct bacterial testing, officials said.

Meanwhile, two separate sewage spills have impacted beaches in Long Beach, California.

Approximately five million gallons of sewage spilled into the Dominguez Channel, subsequently running off into the Port of Long Beach and Compton Creek leading to the Los Angeles River, according to a statement from the City of Long Beach.

Another 40,000 gallons of sewage were also released into the City of Commerce in a separate incident, according to city officials.

“These spills occurred early this morning, prompting immediate action from local authorities,” the city’s statement reads. “The exact cause of the sewage spills is currently under investigation, with capacity issues due to heavy rains and potential sewer damage being considered as possible factors.”

Update: Nearly 400 mudslides devastate California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 21:50 , Katie Hawkinson

Emergency crews have responded to 383 mudslides due to severe weather in Los Angeles over the past several days, the Associated Press reports.

Meanwhile, officials have deemed seven buildings uninhabitable, while another ten have been “yellow-tagged.” That designation means residents can go back to their homes to get their belongings but cannot stay due to the damage, according to the AP.

Border crossing death reported

Tuesday 6 February 2024 21:41 , Louise Boyle

A person died on Tuesday as they tried to cross the US-Mexico border into California, US Customs and Border Protection said.

The individual was swept away in the Tijuana River channel which has become swollen due to the storm conditions.

A San Diego lifeguard raft was unable to reach the person before they died, the agency said, according to a report from AP.

Nearly 50 people evacuated from cliffside community

Tuesday 6 February 2024 21:40 , Katie Hawkinson

45 people from Isla Vista, California have been evacuated from their homes after rain dangerously eroded a cliff, local outlet News Channel 3-12 reports.

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps said no injuries have been reported as local officials evacuate the area.

“The storms underscore the pressing need for bluff and cliff safety, as seen by a bluff facing balcony collapse at a private property in IV this morning,” Ms Capps said in a statement.

SEE IT: Downed power lines in California spark vegetation fires despite recent rain

Tuesday 6 February 2024 21:20 , Katie Hawkinson

Snow continues to hit high-elevation regions of Southern California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 21:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Californians living at higher elevations can expect continued snowfall throughout Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Up to 24 inches have already blanketed high-elevation areas of Mount Baldy in Southern California, the NWS reports.

Snow has already devastated a Nevada ski resort, where emergency crews had to rescue four people trapped by an avalanche on Monday.

ICYMI: More than 300 landslides reported across California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 20:40 , Katie Hawkinson

307 landslides have been reported to emergency services in Los Angeles, California since this weekend, Fox Weather reports.

These disasters came as California received nearly half a year’s rain in just a few days thanks to an atmospheric river ripping through the state. More than 38 million people were under flood alerts throughout the state yesterday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

While rain is expected to start easing today, floods still pose a significant risk to residents, officials with the NWS for Los Angeles said.

WATCH: Dogs ride to safety on speedboat after overflowing river traps them

Tuesday 6 February 2024 20:20 , Katie Hawkinson

Los Angeles residents say mudslides running through neighborhoods ‘sounded like thunder'

Tuesday 6 February 2024 20:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Californians recounted watching mudslides devastate their neighbourhoods to NBC Los Angeles.

Mark Alston of the Baldwin Hills neighbourhood told the outlet the mudslide “sounded like thunder” as it began running down their street.

Mr Alston told NBC Los Angeles he built a retaining wall around his home to protect against this exact type of disaster, but that this mudslide made him realize it needs to be even larger.

“This went around the retaining walls,” he told the outlet.

The Los Angeles Fire Department has reported at least 307 mudslides since the storm began this weekend. Meanwhile, 150,000 customers throughout California are without power as the storm knocks down trees and damages powerlines.

While the rain is forecasted to ease on Tuesday, the National Weather Service warns floods may continue.

Tornado warning issued for San Diego area

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:58 , Louise Boyle

A tornado warning was issued for the San Diego area on Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The warning included the areas of Chula Vista, El Cajon, and National City, until 12.15pm local time. NWS reported that radar had indicated the threat of a tornado along with pea-sized hail. In the vicinity of the threats were 164 schools, five hospitals and a population of more than 623,000 people.

Stay away from water, LA officials warn

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:50 , Louise Boyle

Los Angeles county officials warned residents to stay away from streams and rivers due to the serious dangers they posed following the severe storm. LA County shared a video of firefighters and law enforcement officials on a bridge in the city overlooking a fast-flowing current. “The water can rise quickly and without warning, sweeping away people and objects in its path,” wrote the county of LA.

California firefighters post warning about downed power lines

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:40 , Louise Boyle

California firefighters in Placer County, east of Sacramento, posted a warning about the danger of downed power lines.

In the video, downed lines can be seen sparking and even catching fire despite the saturated vegetation.“If you see down lines, call and report, do not touch or attempt to cross,” CAL Fire warned.

LAFD gives update on storm devastation in California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:30 , Louise Boyle

LA fire chief Kristin Crowley provided an update on Tuesday on the emergency response in LA after 6-12 inches of rain fell across the region.

She said that the LAFD responded to 307 mudslides along with 35 incidents of buildings requiring inspection due to mudslides and slope failures. Even as the rain subsides, “the water-soaked hillsides will continue to pose a mudslide threat,” she said.

LAFD also said that seven buildings were “yellow tagged” — allowing people to get their belongings but then evacuate. Five buildings were also “red-tagged,” meaning residents can no longer go inside.

‘Not the time to let our guard down,’ official tells Californians

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:25 , Louise Boyle

Dr Ariel Cohen from the National Weather Service said it was the third-wettest, two day stretch in LA history since record-keeping began in the 1870s.

“This is not the time to let our guard down,” he said. Light to moderate rain will continue across the LA area on Tuesday, and officials have warned that the risk of flooding will persist.

No fatalities in Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass reports

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:20 , Louise Boyle

LA’s mayor said that there had been no fatalities in the city on Tuesday, one moment of optimism in a devastating situation.

She put the lack of deaths down to the fact that Angelenos had heeded the warnings over the severity of the storm.

She asked people to check on their neighbors, particularly if they are elderly, or ill, and also asked them to make contact with friends or family who are unhoused.

Vice President Kamala Harris warns her fellow Californians to look out for one another

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:10 , Katie Hawkinson

In the wake of devastating storms, the US Vice President offered safety advice to her fellow Californians.

“To Californians impacted by extreme rains and flooding: Please follow state and local guidance, look out for one another, and stay safe,” Kamala Harris wrote on X. “@POTUS and I will continue to invest in helping communities across our nation prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme weather.”

Forecasters with the National Weather Service warn rain will continue throughout Tuesday before easing up, and that residents should remain wary of floods.

LA Mayor Karen Bass gives update on LA storm situation

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:00 , Louise Boyle

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass gave an update on the storm shortly after 9 am local time.

She thanked emergency crews for all their rescue efforts and the utility workers getting the power back up. For now, 7,000 households remained without power, she said.

She said that she had visited Angelenos in Encino, the Valley and Studio City were backyards were destroyed and cars swept down driveways.

On a visit to Baldwin Hills, Mayor Bass emphasized that she spoke with renters who she described as “particularly vulnerable” as they are going to depend on landowners to make sure they have a place to stay in the wake of the disaster.

Dial it up to Category 6? As warming stokes storms, some want a bigger hurricane category

Tuesday 6 February 2024 18:40 , Katie Hawkinson

A handful of super powerful tropical storms in the last decade and the prospect of more to come has a couple of experts proposing a new category of whopper hurricanes: Category 6.

Studies have shown that the strongest tropical storms are getting more intense because of climate change. So the traditional five-category Saffir-Simpson scale, developed more than 50 years ago, may not show the true power of the most muscular storms, two climate scientists suggest in a Monday study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

They propose a sixth category for storms with winds that exceed 192 miles per hour (309 kilometers per hour).

Seth Borenstein has the story:

As warming stokes storms, some want a bigger hurricane category

Update: Tuesday forecast for southern California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 18:30 , Louise Boyle

The flash flood threat is continuing in southern California on Tuesday, the National Weather Service warned, at 11am local time.

An additional 1-2 inches of rain is expected on already saturated ground. Showers were ongoing in Ventura and Orange counties surrounding LA, with moderate to heavy rain.

“Given the extreme rainfall observed over the past 48 hours and areas of ongoing flooding throughout southern CA, the addition of 1 to perhaps 2 more inches of rain will continue the threat for flash flooding and debris flows,” NWS warned.

SEE IT: National Weather Service models rainfall evolution in California today

Tuesday 6 February 2024 18:20 , Katie Hawkinson

California flooding in pictures as ‘1 in 1000 year’ storm wreaks havoc

Tuesday 6 February 2024 18:00 , Katie Hawkinson

A historic storm has deluged California over the past three days, bringing record amounts of rainfall and hundreds of catastrophic mudslides.

The storm is a “1-in-1000 year” rainfall event with Los Angeles’ Westwood neighbourhood recording nearly 12 inches of rain in 24 hours, according to the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. The storm is the second major event in two weeks to strike the region, powered by an atmospheric river dragging in moisture from the ocean.

Some 307 landslides were reported in LA alone, the fire department said. At least three people were killed by falling trees as powerful winds reached hurricane force.

Forecasters predicted the rain will begin to ease later on Tuesday. However, the threat of flooding remains high as the ground is extremely saturated, the National Weather Service said.

See the shocking photos of storm damage throughout California:

Photos: ‘1 in 1000 year’ storm wreaks havoc in California

San Diego on alert as more rain on the way

Tuesday 6 February 2024 17:40 , Louise Boyle

Showers are moving back into downtown San Diego, the National Weather Service reported.

More bands of rainfall were moving across the city shortly after 9 am local time, raising the risk of more flooding in urban areas.

It was only late last month that San Diego was hit with torrential downpours and flooding from a separate storm, wrecking dozens of homes and sweeping vehicles into heaped piles. It was the city’s fourth-wettest day in nearly 175 years.

Flood watch remains in LA on Tuesday

Tuesday 6 February 2024 17:20 , Louise Boyle

A flood watch was in place through 4pm on Tuesday in the Los Angeles area, according to the National Weather Service.The risk of flooding remained “significant” to the city and surrounding counties after steady rain on Monday, and with on/off showers expected into Tuesday night. A 20-30 per cent chance of thunderstorms was also forecast.

In LA’s Westwood neighborhood, nearly 12 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, according to US Stormwatch, a “1-in-1000 year” rainfall event.

WATCH: Mudslides, flooding devastate California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 17:01 , Katie Hawkinson

SEE IT: Rushing floodwaters devastate Los Angeles neighborhoods

Tuesday 6 February 2024 16:41 , Katie Hawkinson

See the swirling atmospheric river that dumped historic rainfall on California this week

Tuesday 6 February 2024 16:19 , Katie Hawkinson

Six months of rain fell on Los Angeles in two days: NWS

Tuesday 6 February 2024 16:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Nearly half a year’s worth of rain fell on Los Angeles, California in just 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Los Angeles also set a state-wide record for rainfall on Monday, beating a 123-year-old record set in 1901, according to the NWS. Sunday and Monday also set the highest February two-day rainfall total in California’s history.

More than 150,000 without power in California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 15:40 , Katie Hawkinson

152,000 Californians are without power as of Tuesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.

This sweeping damage comes thanks to mudslides and floods sweeping across Southern California over the weekend and on Monday. The rain is expected to ease on Tuesday but floods will remain a problem throughout the day, officials with the National Weather Service said.

UCLA records 1-in-1,000 year rainfall event yesterday

Tuesday 6 February 2024 15:20 , Katie Hawkinson

Experts with the University of California at Los Angeles recorded 12 inches of rain in 24 hours on Monday, marking a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event for the area, according to the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.

The announcement came as 20 million people were under flood alerts throughout the state yesterday. As of Tuesday morning, more than 150,000 Californians are without power thanks to devastating rain and mudslides.

SEE IT: Devastating mudslides rip through California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 15:00 , Katie Hawkinson

More than 300 landslides reported across California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 14:40 , Katie Hawkinson

307 landslides have been reported to emergency services in Los Angeles, California since this weekend, Fox Weather reports.

These disasters came as California received nearly half a year’s rain in just a few days thanks to an atmospheric river ripping through the state. More than 38 million people were under flood alerts throughout the state yesterday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

While rain is expected to start easing today, floods still pose a significant risk to residents, officials with the NWS for Los Angeles said.

Four rescued after avalanche at Nevada ski resort

Tuesday 6 February 2024 14:20 , Katie Hawkinson

Four people who were reported missing after an avalanche at a Nevada ski resort have been found safe.

The avalanche hit the Lee Canyon ski resort on Monday in south Nevada, around an hour outside of Las Vegas.

Search and rescue teams from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department were called to the site to try and locate several people who were reported missing.

They announced on X on Monday that four people were initially reported missing, but now everyone has been located and is safe, adding that they were assisting people off the mountain.

Lee Canyon has experienced about one to two feet of snow within the past two days and will be closed on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Amelia Neath has more...

Four rescued after avalanche at Nevada ski resort

At least three killed as historic storm sweeps California leaving up to $11bn trail of damage

Tuesday 6 February 2024 14:00 , Mike Bedigan

Hundreds of thousands of people have been left without power as an intense tropical storm continues to rage across California.

Three people have been confirmed dead by authourities, with many others being displaced by mudslides and flash flooding.

Read the full story here:

Three killed as historic storm sweeps California leaving up to $11bn trail of damage

In pictures: Flooding wreaks havoc across Los Angeles

Tuesday 6 February 2024 13:30 , Mike Bedigan

Watch: Man recalls moment his car got trapped by heavy flooding in California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 13:00 , Mike Bedigan

New study finds that some tropical storms now surpass a hypothetical ‘category 6’

Tuesday 6 February 2024 12:30 , Mike Bedigan

Researchers have suggested that, due to ongoing climate change, some tropical storms may now qualify for a hypothetical classification of “cetegory 6”.

The study, published on Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), found that the Saffir-Simpson scale, which measures a hurricane's wind speeds, doesn't adequately address the hazards associated with extreme storms.

The hurrican scale currently runs from 1 to 5, and was created in the early 1970s. Category 5 hurricanes having wind speeds of 156 mph or stronger — enough to produce “catastrophic” damage.

“We find that a number of recent storms have already achieved this hypothetical category 6 intensity and based on multiple independent lines of evidence examining the highest simulated and potential peak wind speeds, more such storms are projected as the climate continues to warm,” and article in PNAS read.

Michael Wehner, lead author of the latest research, told CBS News that there have been several hurricanes in recent years with winds that far surpass 156 mph — and that it may warrant an entirely new category – “category 6.”

Mr Wehner told the broadcaster that expanded the classification system would aim to better help inform the public of the risks of such serious weather events.

Rain could ease on Tuesday but flooding risk remains

Tuesday 6 February 2024 12:00 , Stuti Mishra

Rainfall from one of the wettest storms in Southern California history is expected to ease off on Tuesday, but forecasters have warned that floods were still possible as soaked ground raised the threat of potentially deadly landslides.

Scattered showers and some possible thunderstorms will bring light to moderate rain, the National Weather Service said. But there is still the threat that many places could see brief, fierce downpours dumping up to an inch of rain in an hour.

Authorities warned people to remain on high alert and most of Southern California remained under flood watches. Swollen and fast-moving creeks and rivers “increase the risk for drowning and the need for swift water rescues,” the weather service said.

In pictures: Major snowfall in Northern California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 11:35 , Mike Bedigan

What is an atmospheric river?

Tuesday 6 February 2024 11:00 , Stuti Mishra

The storm that is pummelling California is fuelled by an atmospheric river, a plume of moisture that extends across the Pacific to near Hawaii.

Atmospheric rivers are long and relatively narrow bands of water vapour that form over an ocean and flow through the sky, transporting moisture from the tropics to northern latitudes.

They occur globally but are especially significant on the west coast of the United States, where they create 30 to 50 per cent of annual precipitation and are vital to water supplies, but also can cause storms that produce flooding and mudslides, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Read more:

What is an atmospheric river and what happens when it hits California?

38 million under flood alerts in California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 10:30 , Stuti Mishra

On Monday some 38 million people were placed under flood alerts throughout California, according to the National Weather Service.

The atmospheric hurricane moving across the region has dumped record-setting rain on Los Angeles and caused flooding further south in and around San Diego. Further north, tress and powerlines were toppled.

The NWS described the storm as being “potentially historic” due to the volume of rain it’s expected to the region.

Some 500,000 power customers have been left without electricity as a result of the storm.

Disneyland parks in Anaheim to close early again due to bad weather

Tuesday 6 February 2024 10:00 , Mike Bedigan

Two Disney parks in Anaheim will close early again today due to the inclement weather, park officials have said.

Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park closed an hour early on Sunday, at 10pm and 9pm respectively.

Both will be closed at 8pm on Monday, due to ongoing concerns about public safety.

Satellite video shows 'fire hose of moisture' over California

Tuesday 6 February 2024 09:30 , Stuti Mishra

Watch: Rain batters Venice Beach ahead of major California storms

Tuesday 6 February 2024 09:00 , Mike Bedigan

Up to three feet of snow reported at ski resorts in Lake Tahoe area

Tuesday 6 February 2024 08:30 , Stuti Mishra

Various ski resorts in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas of Northern California reported heavy snow as a winter storm brought new snowfall ranging from six inches to three feet.

According to its live web cam, Mammoth Mountain, near to Yosemite national park, reported 33 to 36 inches of new snow over the last 24 hours.

In a post titled “dump alert” the resort warned guests of delays on all chairlift openings, as ski patrol went out to mitigate “avalanche danger”.

“Be mindful of all closures and know they are up for everyone’s safety,” the resort said.

Northstar California Resort and Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe also reported similar high levels, with 27 inches, an 22 to 26 inches of new snow, respectively over the last 24 hours.

California remains under flooding and landslide threat on Tuesday

Tuesday 6 February 2024 08:04 , Stuti Mishra

Forecasters in the US have warned that floods are still possible following Monday’s record-breaking rainfall.

The storm fuelled by an atmospheric river, which has already dumped half a year’s worth of rain, could linger into Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

Scattered showers and some possible thunderstorms will bring light to moderate rain, but there is still the threat that many places could see brief, fierce downpours dumping up to an inch of rain in an hour.

Flash flood warning update

Tuesday 6 February 2024 07:15 , Stuti Mishra

A flash flood warning has been issued for for Santa Monica, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills until 5am Tuesday.

LA Mayor urges Angelenos ‘keep heeding local warnings'

Tuesday 6 February 2024 06:45 , Stuti Mishra

Half a year's worth of rain falls in Los Angeles

Tuesday 6 February 2024 06:15 , Stuti Mishra

More than 10 inches (25cm) of rain has fallen across Los Angeles area since Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

However, UCLA recorded "an incredible 300 mm (12 inches)" of rain in just 24 hours.

California receives an average rainfall of 24 inches in a year.

The rain, fuelled by an atmospheric river weather system, is expected to dump more water on Tuesday, the NWS said.

Footage of flooded Brentwood streets

Tuesday 6 February 2024 05:45 , Mike Bedigan

Footage captured deep floodwaters inundating an entire street in Brentwood. A nearby van appears to be sinking while other vehicles roll pass — some whose undercarriages are near totally submerged.

New daily rain record set for downtown LA

Tuesday 6 February 2024 05:00 , Mike Bedigan

The previous daily rainfall record for downtown LA has been smashed thanks to the atmospheric river percipitation over the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, the daily record rainfall was 2.55 inches, set in 1927.

On Sunday the record was shattered when 4.10 inches of rain soaked the city.

The rainfall put the 14 million individuals living between LA and San Diego under rare high-risk flash-flood warnings.

Storm responders 'undergoing one hell of an operation,' says Biden

Tuesday 6 February 2024 04:30 , Stuti Mishra

US president Joe Biden said responders in California were “undergoing one hell of an operation” while speaking on a phone call with Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass during a press conference.

Mr Biden was asked by Ms Bass whether he would like to say something about the historic rainfall and damages California was experiencing.

He said the federal government would provide whatever assistance is needed.“We’ll get any help on the way as soon as you guys request it,” he said. “So just let me know. That’s why I’m calling.”

LA residents sent flash flood warnings

Tuesday 6 February 2024 04:00 , Mike Bedigan

In Los Angeles, residents were sent warnings for flash floods on Sunday.

The alerts advised people not to travel unless evacuating or “fleeing the area” due to a “dangerous and life-threatening” situation.

Science behind atmospheric rivers

Tuesday 6 February 2024 03:30 , Mike Bedigan

ICYMI: At least three killed as historic storm sweeps California leaving up to $11bn trail of damage

Tuesday 6 February 2024 03:00 , Mike Bedigan

Hundreds of thousands of people have been left without power as an intense tropical storm continues to rage across California.

Three people have been confirmed dead by authourities, with many others being displaced by mudslides and flash flooding.

Read the full story here:

Three killed as historic storm sweeps California leaving up to $11bn trail of damage

Four people found safe after avalanche north of Las Vegas

Tuesday 6 February 2024 02:20 , Mike Bedigan

Four people were found safe after an avalanche north of Las Vegas, authorities said on Monday.

The avalanche was reported in Lee Canyon, about 50 miles northwest of downtown Las Vegas, according to Clark County officials.

Las Vegas police said in a post on X the avalanche triggered a search-and-rescue effort after “several” people were reported missing. Police later on Monday said four people were reported missing.

“Everyone has been located and is safe. We are currently assisting people off the mountain,” police said in a follow-up post.

LA County flood advisories in place until 9pm

Tuesday 6 February 2024 02:00 , Mike Bedigan

Tornadoes ‘not out of the question’ as California storms rage

Tuesday 6 February 2024 01:40 , Mike Bedigan

The National Weather Service (NWS) said tornadoes were unlikely, but “not out of the question” as the second atmospheric river continues to batter California.

Monday saw extreme winds and rain across the state, prompting blackouts and mudslides. NWS meteorologist David Gomberg previously told CBS: “We do have a lot of low-level rotation in the atmosphere that could spawn some waterspout activity over coastal waters.

“And [it’s] not out of the question that we could get a brief small tornado across the region.”

Mr Gomberg added that “the most favourable” conditions for a tornado would have been on Sunday night and reiterated that the possibility of one is very slim.

Preliminary damage from California storms could reach up to $11 billion

Tuesday 6 February 2024 01:20 , Mike Bedigan

The preliminary total damage and economic loss from the intense storms and record rainfall in California this week could be between $9 billion and $11 billion, according to AccuWeather.

The forecaster’s preliminary estimate largely accounts for damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure, facilities, roadways, and vehicles from both rain and snow, as well as over 900,000 reported power outages at the height of the storm.

There has also been significant disruption and costs to businesses from travel impediments including blocked roads, train delays, flight cancellations, rerouting, and shipping interruptions.

AccuWeather’s preliminary estimates reflects damage and negative impacts to the economy that have occurred through the end storm, as additional damage is expected to accrue as southern parts of the state through Monday night and until Thursday as thunderstorms continue.

Sunday ‘one of the worst day on record for power outages caused by storms’

Tuesday 6 February 2024 00:20 , Mike Bedigan

The chief operating officer of California utility Pacific Gas & Electric has said that the storm that hit California on Sunday was one of the most damaging single-day storms on record in terms of outages.

According to NBC, Sumeet Singh called the storm that hit the company’s service area, which covers a huge area of the state from Northern to near Southern California, yesterday “intense.”

“In terms of outage totals, this was one of the top three most damaging single day storms on record,” he said, per the outlet, adding that wind gusts in northern counties including Marin and Santa Clara, were higher than 80 mph.

“The strong winds caused trees and other objects to fly into our equipment and take out power,” Mr Singh said.

Evacuation orders canceled or downgraded in some California counties

Monday 5 February 2024 23:50 , Mike Bedigan

All evacuation orders in Santa Barbara County were cancelled at 12pm on Monday, though officials warned that some roads and trails may still be inaccessible or closed throughout the county due to storm impacts.

The public was advised that ground saturation may cause continued rock falls, minor debris flows and landslides, and tree falls despite an ease in the rain.

Elsewhere in Ventura County, evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings. Access to the area remained limited due to storm damage.

The Ventura County Public Works Agency said it was working to restore access and estimated that the repair time would be approximately one week.

San Francisco Mayor says worst of the storm ‘has passed’

Monday 5 February 2024 23:40 , Mike Bedigan

Update: Three killed by falling trees as life-threatening storm batters California

Monday 5 February 2024 23:05 , Mike Bedigan

Three people have now been confirmed to have died due to falling trees caused by the ongoing California storms.

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a state of emergency for eight counties, which include Los Angeles and San Diego.

Read the full story here:

Three killed by falling trees as life-threatening storm batters California

LA firefighters respond to over 130 flooding incidents since storms began

Monday 5 February 2024 22:20 , Mike Bedigan

Los Angeles Firefighters have responded to over 130 flooding incidents and 49 mud and debris flows, since the outbreak of the storms in California, the LAFD Chief Kristin M. Crowley has said.

Teams have also extinguished half a dozen structure fires, and conducted several water rescues for stranded motorists, and responded to over 65 traffic collisions, as severe conditions continue to batter the west coast.

Ms Crowley said on Monday that “the hazards of this storm have not passed” and said the city is anticipating “another wave of heavy rain this afternoon.”

Third person killed in California storms

Monday 5 February 2024 22:00 , Mike Bedigan

A 41-year-old man, killed in Sacramento County yesterday after a tree fell on him during the ongoing storms on the West Coast has been named as 41-year-old Chad Ensey.

Mr Ensey of Carmichael died at his home due to blunt force injuries, a spokesperson for the county said, per ABC10.

This is the third weather-related death in California connected to the storms. Elswhere on Sunday, a tree also fell onto a home in Boulder Creek, California, and killed one of the residents inside.

Police were also called to a home in Yuba City on Sunday evening in response to reports that a tree had fallen on a person, the Yuba City Police Department said in a Facebook post.

Officers who arrived at the address found a man “lying underneath a very large redwood tree in his backyard.” Emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures, but were unable to revive him.

Law enforcement officials identified the deceased man to ABC 10 as David Gomes, 82.