A relentless atmospheric river storm continued to drench Southern California on Christmas Day, unleashing heavy downpours that have already dumped more than half a foot of rain in some areas and triggered widespread flooding.
Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for several communities, particularly those near wildfire burn scars, as saturated hillsides pose a high risk of mudslides and debris flows. The community of Wrightwood in the San Gabriel Mountains appears to be the hardest hit, with homes buried under several feet of mud.
The National Weather Service warned the “long-duration atmospheric river event” is not over. Forecasters said two more storm impulses will sweep through Thursday and Friday, bringing additional showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. “The potential for flooding will be high during this period,” the agency said.
The extent of damage caused by rain-triggered mudslides in Wrightwood, California, came into sharper focus Thursday afternoon when the San Bernardino County Fire Department released video showing homes and cars buried under several feet of thick mud and rocks.
The dramatic footage accompanied a social media post offering this brief update:
“With a break in the weather this morning, crews were strategically placed in neighborhoods that were severely impacted by the storm to help with recovery efforts. Evening update will contain more information.”
https://ktla.com/weather/new-video-shows-homes-buried-in-wrightwood-mudslides-after-massive-storm/