LOS ANGELES — A historic storm dumped record amounts of rain on parts of Los Angeles on Monday, sending mud and rocks cascading down hillsides dotted with multimillion-dollar homes and washing over many parts of the city. People living in homeless encampments in the area scrambled to safety.
More than 1 million people were without power across the state.
The storm was the second atmospheric river to hit the state in several days.
Flash flood warnings were issued for about 2.5 million people in the Los Angeles area, including the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills.
The National Weather Service said up to 9 inches (23 centimeters) of rain had already fallen in the area, with more expected, and the threat of flash flooding and mudslides posed “particularly dangerous conditions.” It is said that
Already, crews have been rescuing people from rushing water across Southern California, including Monday from a small island in the Santa Ana River in San Bernardino, about 55 miles (88.51 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. This includes two homeless people. authorities said.
Floodwaters poured into Studio City, on the backside of the Hollywood Hills, and the river’s strength sent mud, rocks and household items cascading downhill.
Sixteen Studio City residents were evacuated and two homes were damaged, city officials said.
“It’s like a river that’s been here for years,” said Keki Mingus, whose neighbor’s home was damaged. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department said 1,000 firefighters were working on 49 debris flows, 130 flood reports, six structure fires and several rescues of stranded drivers.
Drake Livingston, who lives in the Beverly Crest neighborhood, was watching a movie around midnight when a friend warned him about flooding.
“I looked outside and there was a foot and a half of water and it was starting to seep through the door,” Livingston said.
Livingston scrambled to save some of his property, but ultimately had to flee to a neighbor’s house. In the morning, Livingston’s car was submerged in several feet of mud.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned residents of flooded roads, downed trees and power lines, and urged them to avoid driving.
More than 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) of rain fell in the Santa Monica Mountains. Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley said the rain is expected to continue into Tuesday, and areas around burn scars from recent wildfires will remain at risk.
A record 4.1 inches (10.41 centimeters) of rain fell in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, making it the 10th wettest day on record, according to the National Weather Service. This is more rainfall than the area typically receives in a month.
However, that did not prevent the Grammy Awards ceremony from being held as scheduled Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena downtown.
The National Weather Service predicts up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of precipitation could fall across Southern California’s coasts and valleys over the next two days, with up to 14 inches (35 centimeters) possible in the foothills and mountains.
Commuters rushing to catch trains at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles walked through several inches of water Monday morning.
The National Weather Service issued an unusual warning after weekend storms flooded roads and downed trees and power lines across the San Francisco Bay Area. “Hurricane strong wind warning” For the Central Coast. Several people had to be rescued from the rising floodwaters, including those in cars and those living in homeless camps.
Police in Yuba City, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco, said they were investigating a man found dead Sunday evening under a large sequoia tree in his backyard.
Police said on Facebook that neighbors had heard the sound of trees falling and that the man may have been using a ladder to cut down the redwoods when he was killed.
Nineteen people were rescued Sunday after a 40-foot sailboat lost its mast off the coast of Southern California’s Long Beach, said Brian Fisk, a firefighter and paramedic with the Long Beach Fire Department.
He said another boat heard the distress call on marine radio and helped rescue the eight people, and the 11 were able to reach a rocky breakwater in Alamitos Bay, where they were rescued by lifeguards. One person was injured and received treatment.
“They set sail in high winds and stormy weather,” Fisk said. “They are very, very lucky.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for most counties in coastal Southern California and said emergency resources were at the ready while emergency shelters were opened.
Most public schools in Los Angeles were open, but other districts canceled classes.
Heavy snow has fallen across the Sierra Nevada, and motorists are urged to avoid mountain roads.
Much of the state was still dry from the first atmospheric river storm that blew in last week. Atmospheric rivers are relatively narrow plumes of water vapor that form over the ocean and can cause heavy rainfall as they move over land.
Both atmospheric rivers are “Pineapple Express” Because I was born near Hawaii.
Since last winter, 46 atmospheric rivers have made landfall on the U.S. West Coast, saving the state from years of drought, according to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Western Weather and Water Extremes Center.
Nine were classified as strong, two as extreme, and one as exceptional.
