A powerful storm fueled by an atmospheric river wreaked havoc across California, causing record rainfall, mudslides, and strong winds that resulted in three fatalities from falling trees. Flood alerts have been issued for nearly 38 million people in California and Arizona, including 10 million in Los Angeles county. The storm has already claimed three lives and officials are warning of ongoing dangers as water levels continue to rise.
The storm has stalled over Los Angeles, with forecasters predicting intensifying rain at a rate of half an inch per hour. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings that the storm will persist through Tuesday, with some areas of Los Angeles already receiving over 10 inches of rain, far exceeding the average for the entire month of February.
The storm has transformed streets into rivers, triggered landslides, and caused significant damage to homes and properties. The Santa Monica mountains and Hollywood Hills are particularly at risk, with officials urging residents to avoid travel due to the ”extremely dangerous” conditions.
Gavin Newsom, California’s governor, has declared a state of emergency for several counties affected by the storm. The situation remains critical as the storm continues to unleash its fury on the region.
View image in fullscreenVehicles damaged by a mudslide are seen in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles on Monday. Photograph: Marcio José Sánchez/AP
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