Southern California Battered by Powerful Christmas Storms

A powerful winter storm has lashed Southern California, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds, and near white-out snow conditions in the mountains, causing hazardous travel for millions of holiday drivers. The storm has led to evacuation warnings for mudslides in the south, with areas scorched by January’s wildfires under threat. Flash flood warnings are in effect, and authorities have declared a state of emergency in six counties, including Los Angeles, to facilitate rapid response and resource allocation. The National Weather Service has issued a rare “high risk” alert for excessive rainfall, with some areas expected to receive up to 8 inches of rain, potentially making it one of the wettest Christmases in years.