Flood and Landslide Warnings Issued
Governor Newsom Declares State of Emergency in Six Counties
Southern California in the United States was swept by a powerful storm on December 24th, Christmas Eve (local time), prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency. Los Angeles, as well as Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta counties are taking preemptive measures to respond to the emergency situation.
Southern California in the United States was swept by a powerful storm on December 24th, Christmas Eve (local time), prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
The state government pre-deployed 55 fire trucks and 10 swift water rescue teams, along with other personnel and equipment, and invoked emergency powers to strengthen its response system. Governor Newsom stated, "We will mobilize all emergency response resources to ensure the safety of residents."
Intermittent rain began falling across Southern California the previous day, and from the morning of December 24, heavy downpours and strong winds intensified the storm. The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter storm warning for the south-central coastal areas and flash flood warnings for Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, and San Bernardino counties.
The NWS Los Angeles office warned, "On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there is a possibility of life-threatening floods and landslides," advising people to avoid driving in flooded areas and to refrain from going outside unless absolutely necessary.
On December 24, as heavy rain fell in Altadena, California, USA, a Los Angeles County Department of Public Works employee is removing a fallen tree. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
Local authorities are already responding to river flooding and traffic accidents caused by the heavy rain. The Los Angeles Fire Department rescued three residents who were stranded due to river flooding, and the Los Angeles Police Department handled 52 traffic accidents. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is working to restore power to 18,000 households and replace 28 fallen utility poles. Cleanup operations are also underway for 43 fallen trees reported throughout the city. So far, there have been no reports of casualties.
Authorities, concerned about the high risk of landslides and mudflows in Pacific Palisades, Sunset, and Hearst-areas that suffered major wildfire damage last year-have instructed residents to remain in emergency evacuation readiness until 11 p.m. on December 25. Evacuation alerts have also been issued for some mountainous areas, including Wrightwood, a resort in the San Gabriel Mountains located 130 kilometers northeast of Los Angeles.
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