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CNN
31-03-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Powerful storm causes mudslides in California, threatens outbreak of tornadoes and wildfires across US this week
A powerful storm that dropped drenching rain on flood-prone Southern California is raising concern among forecasters that it could produce a dangerous, widespread outbreak of tornadoes, damaging winds and fires along with a blizzard as it crosses the entire United States in the coming days. The heavy rain triggered mudslides that engulfed part of a roadway and trapped multiple vehicles in San Jacinto in California's Riverside County Thursday morning. At least six people were rescued, evaluated by paramedics and released, the county's fire department said on social media. The storm also produced a short-lived EF0 tornado that damaged some homes and cars in Pico Rivera – southeast of Los Angeles – in the early morning, according to the National Weather Service. Parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties saw flash flood warnings early Thursday, but Southern California's heaviest rain let up by the afternoon – though the threat of mudslides will persist. Forecasters also issued a rare increase Thursday in the level of severe thunderstorm risk this storm will bring to the central and eastern US Friday and Saturday. Millions there are facing a dangerous severe weather outbreak capable of multiple strong tornadoes, with level 4 of 5 risks of severe thunderstorms in place both days, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Setting the second-highest level of risk this far in advance is rare, and happens only when forecasters have great confidence that the ingredients for severe storms will be present. Over the past 15 years, level 4 risks issued three days in advance have resulted in an average of 90 tornado reports on the day of concern. Similar instances include the 2011 Super Outbreak centered in Alabama that killed more than 300 and was the costliest tornado outbreak on record; another was the Easter Sunday Outbreak in 2020 that produced around 150 tornadoes and killed 35 people. Ahead of the storm's arrival Wednesday, evacuation warnings urging people to prepare to leave at a moment's notice were issued for parts of Los Angeles County, while authorities ordered hundreds of residents in more vulnerable areas to evacuate. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services said it positioned rescue personnel and equipment in 11 counties where heavy impact from the storm was expected, including Los Angeles County. Emergency management officials in Santa Barbara, just north of Los Angeles, ordered residents in and around the Lake Fire burn scar to shelter in place from Wednesday night through early Thursday, saying 'flash flooding and debris flows may be imminent or occurring.' In the Sierra Nevada, heavy snow brought travel to a standstill along part of Interstate 80 Wednesday night. Multiple crashes occurred in the snow along the eastbound portion of the roadway according to the California Highway Patrol. The storm pushed into the Rockies Thursday with additional rain, snow and winds. Winter weather alerts are in place across the highest parts of Nevada, Arizona and Utah, where snow could pile up to 2 feet. Gusts up to 50 mph across the West could make travel difficult and cause power outages. Gusty winds will also impact the Plains and ramp up a widespread fire threat, especially from the late afternoon onward. More than 800 miles of the central US, from western Texas into South Dakota, are under a level 2 of 3 fire weather risk, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Any spark could turn into a wind-driven blaze in these conditions. The fire risk will climb higher Friday in tandem with extremely strong winds. 'Significant, dangerous wildfire-spread conditions' are expected, and a wildfire outbreak is possible across parts of the Southern Plains, according to the center. Those winds could gust up to 90 mph at times in parts of New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma Friday, and also cause power outages and hazardous travel conditions, according to the Weather Prediction Center. The storm will strengthen Friday in the central US and become unusually strong for March just before it tracks into an area where atmospheric conditions are primed to set off dangerous severe weather. Severe thunderstorms will roar to life by the late afternoon in the Mississippi Valley, become more ferocious and pound potentially more than 900 miles of the region – from Louisiana to Minnesota – through the overnight hours. A level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place for parts of the region – including St. Louis – Friday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Damaging winds will be widespread, with some storms producing gusts past 75 mph – on par with a Category 1 hurricane – within the level 3 and 4 risk areas. Tornadoes and hail are also possible within any storm. Some of the strongest storms will be active after dark, adding another layer of danger: Nighttime tornadoes are nearly twice as likely to be deadly as those occurring during the day, a 2022 study found. 'All are encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans before Friday evening,' the National Weather Service in Central Illinois urged Thursday. 'Consider discussing the forecast with family/friends so they are aware in advance.' Saturday poses another serious threat for dangerous thunderstorms and will see an increased threat of tornadoes, with the Storm Prediction Center pinpointing the South as the area of greatest concern for 'significant tornadoes, swaths of damaging (wind) gusts and hail.' A level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place Saturday for parts of Louisiana – including New Orleans – Mississippi, Alabama and the extreme western Florida Panhandle. Severe thunderstorms could be ongoing early Saturday morning after Friday's activity, but the riskiest thunderstorms will intensify or develop by the afternoon in the South. Storms packing damaging wind gusts, tornadoes and hail will once again persist through the evening and overnight. This story has been updated with additional information. CNN's Robert Shackelford, Brandon Miller, Allison Chinchar, Danielle Sills and Kia Fatahi contributed to this report.
CNN
13-03-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Powerful storm prompts evacuations in California, threatens outbreak of tornadoes and wildfires across US this week
A powerful storm is dropping drenching rain on flood-prone Southern California and heavy snow on the state's mountains. It's the first act of a storm that will unleash a severe thunderstorm outbreak, dangerous fire conditions and a blizzard as it crosses the entire United States in the coming days. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings early Thursday morning for parts of Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties still recovering from devastating wildfires. Emergency management officials in Santa Barbara, just north of Los Angeles, ordered residents in and around the Lake Fire burn scar to shelter in place starting Wednesday night, as 'flash flooding and debris flows may be imminent or occurring.' 'Residents are advised to stay inside and go to the innermost room in your home or to higher ground such as a second floor until further notice. DO NOT attempt to leave,' the county Office of Emergency Management warned. The ongoing warnings for California came alongside a rare increase Thursday in the level of severe thunderstorm risk this storm will bring to the central and eastern US Friday and Saturday. Forecasters are increasingly concerned those regions will see a dangerous severe thunderstorm outbreak capable of multiple strong tornadoes. As the storm arrived in the West on Wednesday, evacuation warnings urging people to prepare to leave at a moment's notice were issued for parts of Los Angeles County, while authorities ordered hundreds of residents in more vulnerable areas to evacuate ahead of the rain. 'The risk of mudflow and landslides is real,' Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a news conference. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services said Wednesday it has positioned rescue personnel and equipment in 11 counties where heavy impact from the storm is expected, including Los Angeles County. In the Sierra Nevada, heavy snow brought travel to a standstill along part of Interstate 80 Wednesday night. Multiple crashes occurred in the snow along the eastbound portion of the roadway according to the California Highway Patrol. Rain will continue Thursday with more than 20 million people across Southern California under flood watches until the afternoon, with a level 2 or 4 risk of flooding rainfall, according to the Weather Prediction Center. The storm will track into the Rockies Thursday with additional rain, snow and winds. Winter weather alerts are in place across the highest parts of Nevada, Arizona and Utah, where snow could pile up to 2 feet. Gusts up to 50 mph across the West could make travel difficult and cause power outages. Gusty winds will also impact the Plains and ramp up a widespread fire threat, especially from the late afternoon onward. More than 800 miles of the central US, from western Texas into South Dakota, are under a level 2 of 3 fire weather risk, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Any spark could turn into a wind-driven blaze in these conditions. The fire risk will climb higher Friday in tandem with extremely strong winds. 'Significant, dangerous wildfire-spread conditions' are expected, and a wildfire outbreak is possible across parts of the Southern Plains, according to the center. Those winds could gust up to 90 mph at times in parts of New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma Friday, and also cause power outages and hazardous travel conditions, according to the Weather Prediction Center. The storm will strengthen Friday in the central US and become unusually strong for March just before it tracks into an area where atmospheric conditions are primed to set off dangerous severe weather. Severe thunderstorms will roar to life by the late afternoon in the Mississippi Valley, become more ferocious and pound potentially more than 900 miles of the region – from Louisiana to Minnesota – through the overnight hours. A level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place for parts of the region – including St. Louis – Friday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Damaging winds will be widespread, with some storms producing gusts past 75 mph – on par with a Category 1 hurricane – within the level 3 and 4 risk areas. Tornadoes and hail are also possible within any storm. Some of the strongest storms will be active after dark, adding another layer of danger: Nighttime tornadoes are nearly twice as likely to be deadly as those occurring during the day, a 2022 study found. 'All are encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans before Friday evening,' the National Weather Service in Central Illinois urged Thursday. 'Consider discussing the forecast with family/friends so they are aware in advance.' Saturday poses another serious threat for dangerous thunderstorms and will see an increased threat of tornadoes, with the Storm Prediction Center pinpointing the South as the area of greatest concern for 'significant tornadoes, swaths of damaging (wind) gusts and hail.' A level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place Saturday for parts of Louisiana – including New Orleans – Mississippi, Alabama and the extreme western Florida Panhandle. Severe thunderstorms could be ongoing early Saturday morning after Friday's activity, but the riskiest thunderstorms will intensify or develop by the afternoon in the South. Storms packing damaging wind gusts, tornadoes and hail will once again persist through the evening and overnight. Setting the second-highest level of risk this far in advance is rare, and happens only when forecasters have great confidence that the ingredients for severe storms will be present. Over the past 15 years, level 4 risks issued three days in advance have resulted in an average of 90 tornado reports on the day of concern. Similar instances in the past include the 2011 Super Outbreak centered in Alabama that killed more than 300 and was the costliest tornado outbreak on record. Another was the Easter Sunday Outbreak in 2020 that produced around 150 tornadoes and killed 35 people. This story has been updated with additional information. CNN's Robert Shackelford, Brandon Miller, Allison Chinchar and Kia Fatahi contributed to this report.
CNN
13-03-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Powerful storm slams West Coast, prompting evacuations in parts of Los Angeles scarred by deadly wildfires
A powerful March storm has been lashing the West Coast and shifting southward –– posing a particular threat to communities scorched by the deadly Los Angeles wildfires from the start of the year. This is the second cross-country storm in weeks and could bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds, snowfall and drought to different parts of the country. Evacuation warnings were issued for parts of Los Angeles County Wednesday, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warning that burn areas from the January fires at greater risk of debris flows and stormwater runoff from the rainfall and may contain hazardous substances. 'While we prepare for another storm headed towards LA, I want to urge Angelenos to stay vigilant, especially in burn scar areas,' Bass said in a statement. 'My number one job is to keep Angelenos safe, so please heed all evacuation warnings, stay vigilant and stay informed.' 'The risk of mudflow and landslides is real,' Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a news conference Wednesday, adding that fire-impacted communities 'need to be on alert.' The Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday visited and issued evacuation orders to 133 houses, according to the mayor. More than 20 million people across Southern California are under flood watches until Thursday afternoon, with the Weather Prediction Center issuing a level 2 or 4 warning for excessive rainfall in parts of the region. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services said Wednesday it has positioned rescue personnel and equipment in 11 counties where heavy impact from the storm is expected, including Los Angeles County. Twenty-four-hour, 360-degree live-stream cameras have also been placed in burn scar areas for the public to monitor potential threats of debris flow. In Santa Barbara, a shelter-in-place has been set up for places associated with the Lake Fire burn scar, with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management warning those affected to retreat 'to innermost room or higher ground such as a second floor' in the event of debris flows and rockslides. In Sierra Madre, just east of Pasadena, residents packed up cars, preparing to leave their homes Wednesday after authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders. The city of 11,000 – which was hit last month by an intense thunderstorm causing mud to cascade down its surrounding hills and roads – was again under a warning of possible mudslides from the incoming storm. Residents of Sierra Madre, which was heavily affected by the Eaton Fire in January, told CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS the February mudslides led to heavy damage to homes. This time, though, they are not taking chances. Derek Sample, a Sierra Madre resident, made temporary walls out of wood sheets outside his home. 'We're covering it up, so we don't get anymore mud in the garage,' Sample told KCAL/KCBS. 'It's been tough, but it's like we have such a great neighborhood, and it's great group of people,' he said. 'I would not live anywhere else.' This is the second major storm to sweep through the country in recent weeks, with last week's storm creating a blizzard that shut down highways, stranded vehicles and caused crashes across multiple states. The current storm will similarly expand through most of the country, sweeping through the eastern part of the US and bringing severe thunderstorm and blizzard conditions. This storm's impacts will continue across California Thursday but also will spread to the Rockies. Winter weather alerts are in place across the highest parts of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, where snow could pile up to 2 feet. Gusts up to 50 mph could also make travel difficult and cause power outages in those areas. By Friday, the storm is expected to bring severe weather to Central US. The Southern Plains and parts of the Southwest, which have endured fire weather this week, will experience more wind gusts and dry air, worsening the drought conditions across this region. The strongest threat for severe storms, a level 4 of 5, has been issued for Friday in parts of the Mississippi Valley, eastward to the Lower Ohio and Tennessee valleys, according to a CNN weather analysis. There are risks of strong tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and very large hail from western Alabama to central Iowa, including the cities of Jackson, Memphis, Nashville and Des Moines. The threat of tornadoes, gusty winds, and hail will also spread from the Gulf Coast of Louisiana to the Wisconsin-Michigan border, including Milwaukee, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Cincinnati and New Orleans. The storm, which began to impact Northern California Wednesday, has brought minor flooding to Alameda County and pockets of rainfall up to 2 inches across much of the region, including the greater San Francisco and Sacramento areas. These areas experienced wind gusts as high as 60 mph reported, which led to downed trees and caused thousands to lose power. The worst effects, however, have subsided, with wind alerts expired for San Francisco and alerts for Sacramento to expire Thursday morning. This story has been updated with additional information. CNN's Robert Shackelford contributed to this report.
CNN
13-03-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Powerful storm slams West Coast, prompting evacuations in parts of Los Angeles scarred by deadly wildfires
A powerful March storm has been lashing the West Coast with heavy rainfall, gusty winds and snowfall in the mountains –– shifting southward and posing a particular threat to communities scorched by the deadly Los Angeles wildfires from the start of the year. Evacuation warnings were issued for parts of Los Angeles County on Wednesday, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warning that burn areas from the January fires at greater risk of debris flows and stormwater runoff from the rainfall and may contain hazardous substances. 'While we prepare for another storm headed towards LA, I want to urge Angelenos to stay vigilant, especially in burn scar areas,' Bass said in a statement. 'My number one job is to keep Angelenos safe, so please heed all evacuation warnings, stay vigilant and stay informed.' 'The risk of mudflow and landslides is real,' Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a news conference Wednesday, adding that fire-impacted communities 'need to be on alert.' The Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday visited and issued evacuation orders to 133 houses, according to the mayor. More than 20 million people across Southern California are under flood watches until Thursday afternoon, with the Weather Prediction Center issuing a level 2 or 4 warning for excessive rainfall in parts of the region. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services said Wednesday it has positioned rescue personnel and equipment in 11 counties where heavy impact from the storm is expected, including Los Angeles County. Twenty-four-hour, 360-degree live-stream cameras have also been placed in burn scar areas for the public to monitor potential threats of debris flow. In Santa Barbara, a shelter-in-place has been set up for places associated with the Lake Fire burn scar, with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management warning those affected to retreat 'to innermost room or higher ground such as a second floor' in the event of debris flows and rockslides. The storm, which began to impact Northern California Wednesday, has brought minor flooding to Alameda County and pockets of rainfall up to 2 inches across much of the region, including the greater San Francisco and Sacramento areas. These areas experienced wind gusts as high as 60 mph reported, which led to downed trees and caused thousands to lose power. The worst effects, however, have subsided, with wind alerts expired for San Francisco and alerts for Sacramento to expire Thursday morning. The Sierra Nevada mountain range could see snowfall rates over 2 inches per hour through Thursday morning. This storm will continue its trek across the country Thursday, bringing rain and mountain snowfall to much of the Rockies, fire weather to the Central and Southern Plains and eventually severe weather to parts of the Southeast. This is a developing story and will be updated. CNN's Robert Shackelford contributed to this report.
CNN
14-02-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Southern California dodges worst of mudslide fears as heavy rains hit region
As Southern California recovers from last month's devastating wildfires, heavy rains Thursday resulted in pockets of flooding, blocked roadways and mud piling up around recent burn scars. The storm system largely moved out of metro Los Angeles late Thursday, prompting officials to lift flood warnings, according to the National Weather Service. While the storm's departure marked an easing of immediate threats, concerns linger over the potential for mudslides and rockslides, which can occur long after rainfall has ended. Here are the latest developments:As the storm's intensity peaked Thursday, flash flood warnings were issued for areas including Malibu and Pacific Palisades, which were heavily impacted by last month's Palisades fire. Rain inundated some roadways and caused localized street flooding but largely avoided the extensive destruction that officials had feared in wildfire-scarred areas, where scorched soil can repel water, triggering fast-moving mudslides that gather debris as they surge downhill. Isolated rock and mudslides were reported around Malibu Thursday. A large debris flow in the Hollywood Hills 'deposited approximately 8 inches of mud across Mulholland Dr., making passage impossible,' the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco were earlier affected by mudslides as rain pushed across the state. Evacuation orders for select residences near burn scar areas from the Palisades, Sunset and Hurst Fires remain through Friday afternoon, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Santa Cruz County lifted their evacuation orders Thursday, as did parts of the Lake Fire burn scar area in Santa Barbara County. At least 16,000 customers in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties were left without power as of early Friday morning, according to Of the areas that received significant rainfall Wednesday and Thursday, the Rocky Butte peak in San Luis Obispo County recorded the highest total at 7.21 inches over a two-day span. Closer to urban areas, Malibu Canyon received 3.55 inches, while downtown Los Angeles saw 2.86 inches. Drier weather is in the forecast around Los Angeles Friday, with occasional showers in the early morning hours. A flood watch is in effect through Friday morning for parts of Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties as the system moves east. While significant devastation from the storm was avoided, the rains and subsequent flows resulted in damaged vehicles and buildings. In Altadena, which was impacted by the Eaton fire, some vehicles were mired in thick mud as crews scrambled to dig them out. In Sierra Madre, also near the Eaton burn scar, mud cascaded down roads at the bottom of hillsides, overtaking cars and leaving residents scrambling to help one another. Exhausted neighbors worked tirelessly to clear debris, some still living out of packed bags from the last evacuation before facing another order. 'It's a resilient community,' Francisco Martinez, a local resident, told CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS. 'The debris flow, the mud … I've never seen it like this.' In Malibu, a Los Angeles Fire Department member sustained minor injuries after his vehicle was swept into the ocean by a large debris flow, LAFD spokesperson Erik Scott said on social media. Video shows a vehicle partially submerged in the ocean after being pushed off an embankment. The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday along Big Rock Road, located off the Pacific Coast Highway. The member managed to escape and was transported to a hospital as a precaution, Scott said. Significant debris flows were reported near well-known Duke's restaurant in Malibu, located off the Pacific Coast Highway. While the oceanfront restaurant escaped damage from the recent wildfire, backhoes were seen scraping mud off the streets nearby Thursday night. In Los Angeles County's San Gabriel Valley, a portion of the roof of a Smart & Final grocery store in Azusa collapsed Thursday, according to KCAL/KCBS. No injuries were reported. Al Hernandez, who was at the scene, described hearing a loud 'boom' before the roof buckled. 'It was crazy,' he told the news outlet. 'People were screaming and running, it was just madness.'
