Southern California was battered by back-to-back atmospheric rivers beginning Christmas Eve, unleashing torrential rains that caused widespread flooding, mudslides, and power outages affecting more than 165,000 customers.

Major routes including Interstate 15 and Highway 2 were closed as emergency crews responded to the chaos.

The storms claimed at least three lives, including a sheriff’s deputy killed in a vehicle crash and a man struck by a falling tree.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties to expedite response and recovery efforts. Despite the devastation, California’s reservoirs surged to 119% of historical averages, providing crucial water replenishment after recent dry conditions.

The National Weather Service continues to warn of heavy precipitation, flash flooding, and debris flows in burn-scar areas. Evacuations have been ordered in vulnerable zones, with residents urged to avoid unnecessary travel.

These atmospheric rivers—moisture-laden systems sweeping in from the Pacific—underscore California’s extreme weather swings and the growing impact of climate change on the state’s infrastructure and communities.