Southern California experienced severe flooding and mudflows on December 24, 2025, as an atmospheric river unleashed torrential rains across the region, forcing emergency rescues, evacuations, and safety alerts in wildfire-scarred areas.

Video footage from affected regions, including Wrightwood and Pacific Palisades, shows emergency crews extracting stranded drivers from flooded streets and treacherous mountain roads. Dozens of residents were rescued safely, although the storm ultimately claimed three lives statewide, according to later reports.

Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for approximately 130 homes in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood particularly vulnerable due to the 2024 wildfires that destabilized soil and increased the risk of mudslides. Shelter-in-place alerts were also issued in multiple locations as rivers and drainage systems overflowed.

Emergency services worked around the clock to respond to hazardous conditions. Local authorities warned that driving in flooded areas is extremely dangerous, emphasizing that even shallow water can sweep vehicles off roads. The combination of heavy rainfall and recently burned terrain created conditions for flash floods, debris flows, and sudden mudslides, highlighting the compounded risks in fire-affected zones.

Residents were advised to follow evacuation orders and avoid attempting to traverse flooded or obstructed routes. Emergency crews coordinated air and ground operations to reach those stranded in isolated areas, ensuring as many individuals as possible were removed from harm’s way.

The storm underscores the continuing vulnerability of Southern California to extreme weather events, particularly in areas impacted by prior wildfires. Authorities emphasized preparedness and adherence to safety advisories as critical for minimizing casualties and property damage during such high-impact events.