Final Wave of Storms Threatens More Flooding and Debris Flows Across California

California is facing one more round of heavy rain as a prolonged series of storms continues to impact the state, bringing renewed threats of flooding and debris flows after days of destruction during the Christmas holiday.

Forecasters say an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain could fall Friday on already saturated ground, increasing the risk for flooding across Southern California. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 2 out of 4 risk for flooding rain affecting more than 18 million people. While rainfall totals are expected to be lower than earlier in the week, officials warn the ground cannot absorb much more water.

The storms have already claimed at least four lives statewide. Among the victims was Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office veteran James Caravallo, who died after losing control of his vehicle on a wet roadway. In San Diego, a 61-year-old man was killed when strong winds caused a tree to fall on him. Two additional storm-related deaths were reported in Northern California.

Flooding and debris flows severely impacted Wrightwood, a mountain community in San Bernardino County, where homes and cars were buried in feet of mud. Residents were rescued by helicopter from rooftops, and evacuation warnings were lifted Friday evening, though officials caution that significant damage remains.

Los Angeles County extended evacuation orders for several hundred homes in burn scar areas through Friday afternoon as a precaution. Fire crews across the county have rescued more than 100 people during the storms, including a woman swept away in fast-moving water in the Arleta neighborhood.

In the mountains, heavy snow has created dangerous travel conditions. Several feet of snow have fallen in the Sierra Nevada, and an avalanche injured two ski patrollers at Mammoth Mountain, forcing the resort to close Friday.

Despite the devastation, residents described neighbors helping one another through rescues, cleanup, and recovery efforts as communities work to rebuild after a holiday marked by severe weather.

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