SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A formidable Pacific storm system, after lashing California’s coastal communities and leaving drivers marooned, is set to target the state’s southeast through Friday. The weather disturbance threatens to unleash flooding across a vast region stretching from San Diego to the Mojave Desert and spilling into sections of Arizona.
With the holiday rush in full swing, millions in California are wrapping up their last-minute shopping or preparing for travel. In response, the National Weather Service has initiated flood advisories for urban lowlands and desert locales.
The forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms that could deliver as much as 1.5 inches of rain throughout the day. However, concerns heighten with predictions of intense downpours, potentially dropping half an inch to an inch of rain within an hour. Such rapid rainfall rates could lead to overflowing streams, creeks, and rivers, according to weather officials.
On Thursday, the storm’s effects were palpable as drivers found themselves trapped in their vehicles on inundated streets northwest of Los Angeles.
Heavy rainfall battered the municipalities of Port Hueneme, Oxnard, and Santa Barbara. In one dramatic incident, a police detective was seen carrying a woman to safety after her SUV became immobilized in the rising floodwaters.
During the early hours, Oxnard’s downtown received a staggering 8 centimeters of rain, surpassing its monthly December average of 6.5 centimeters. Despite this, Carlos Larios, the manager of Heritage Coffee and Gifts in downtown Oxnard, reported a bustling morning business, with the storm doing little to deter customers.
By the afternoon, the intensity of the rainfall and wind had diminished, prompting locals to emerge and survey the aftermath. Fortunately, there were no reports of significant damage or injuries.
Business owners like Sven Dybdahl of Viva Oliva in downtown Santa Barbara expressed relief that the severe weather arrived late in the holiday shopping season, minimizing its potential impact on sales.
The storm system had earlier swept through Northern California, with forecasters labeling it a “cutoff low.” This type of storm becomes isolated from the main atmospheric flow and can persist for an extended period, which can result in prolonged rainfall events.
As the precipitation continued to fall in sporadic bands, Californians were busy with holiday travel plans and last-minute Christmas preparations. The Automobile Club of Southern California projected that about 9.5 million people from the region would be traveling during the holiday season.
Meanwhile, the Northeast was recovering from an unexpectedly fierce storm earlier in the week. Parts of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont were still dealing with the aftermath of heavy rain and wind, with certain areas along the Androscoggin and Kennebec rivers in Maine experiencing particularly severe conditions.,
A powerful Pacific storm that previously caused significant flooding in areas along the West Coast is now moving toward southeastern California. The storm system, which is carrying a substantial amount of moisture, is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the region, raising concerns about potential flash flooding and mudslides, especially in burn-scar areas where the vegetation has been cleared by wildfires.
Residents in low-lying areas and those near waterways are advised to stay alert and prepare for rapid water level rises. The National Weather Service has issued flood watches and warnings in anticipation of the incoming system. Local authorities are urging the public to stay informed about the latest weather updates and to follow any evacuation orders that may be issued.
The storm is also expected to bring strong winds, which could lead to downed trees and power lines, causing power outages. Travel disruptions are likely, with hazardous driving conditions on roads and possible delays or cancellations for air travel.
Emergency services are on standby, and sandbags are being made available in some communities to help residents protect their properties from floodwaters. The storm’s impact will depend on its path and intensity as it makes landfall, but preparations are underway to mitigate the potential damage in southeastern California. Residents are encouraged to have emergency supplies on hand and to have an evacuation plan in place if necessary.
