Southern California Storm Triggers Mudslides, Debris Flows, and Power Outages

Wrightwood Community Devastation

• ⚠️ Wrightwood faced months of cleanup due to massive mudslides and debris flows triggered by about 10 inches of rain on a recent burn scar.
• 🏠 Homes were severely damaged, with mud piles reaching near ceilings, and water damage to foundations is a significant concern.
• ⚡ Approximately 2500 homes lost power due to downed lines, and roads were inundated, turning streets into rivers.
• ✅ Most evacuation warnings have been lifted, and officials are going door-to-door assessing damage, with only one reported injury.

Storm Impacts Across Southern California

• 🌳 A downed power line ignited a tree in Topanga Canyon on Christmas Day.
• 🚗 A large tree toppled onto a car in Koreatown, blocking a road.
• 🏞️ A home in Redwood Avenue was yellow-tagged after a large chunk of its backyard washed away due to an overflowing canal.
• ⛰️ Canyon roads including Malibu, Tuna, and Topanga Canyon remain closed due to high risk of mudslides and debris flows.

Record-Breaking Rainfall and Weather Outlook

• 🌧️ The last three days have been the wettest Christmas holiday in Southern California in 54 years, with many areas recording their highest 3-day rainfall totals ever.
• 📉 The storm is moving out, with lingering showers expected to clear overnight, leading to warmer and drier conditions for the weekend.
• 📈 Projected rainfall totals ranged from 4-7 inches in coastal valleys to 6-14 inches in foothills and mountains.
• 💨 Damaging winds of up to 60-80 mph were experienced in foothills and mountains due to southerly winds.

Mammoth Mountain Avalanche Incident

• ⛷️ Mountain operations at Mammoth were suspended after an avalanche occurred during mitigation work.
• 🤕 Two ski patrol members were caught in the slide; one sustained serious injuries, and the other is being evaluated for broken bones.