Los Angeles, California – Dangerous flooding and fast-moving rock and mudslides could put lives at risk across Southern California from Christmas Eve into Christmas Day as a powerful storm targets already saturated ground, threatening roads, neighborhoods, and hillside communities.
According to the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard office, the highest risk for life-threatening flooding and debris flows includes the San Fernando Valley, Downtown Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Conejo Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Paula, Altadena, Glendora, and nearby foothill and burn scar areas. Emergency officials warn that impacts may begin quickly once heavy rain develops, especially overnight and during periods of intense rainfall.
Santa Barbara County faces heightened concerns near recent burn areas, with risks extending from coastal communities into the mountains. Ventura County cities including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Fillmore could see flooded roadways, while steep terrain raises the chance of rockslides along canyon routes and highways. In Los Angeles County, urban flooding could overwhelm streets and underpasses, with creeks and streams rising rapidly.
Officials urge residents to never drive through flooded roads, avoid creeks and low-lying areas, and closely follow guidance from local emergency management and law enforcement. Having multiple ways to receive weather alerts is critical, as conditions can change quickly.
The National Weather Service warns that even lighter rainfall later in the event could trigger additional flooding due to saturated soil. Alerts and warnings remain possible through Christmas Day as the storm system moves across the region.
