Atmospheric river slams California with deadly flash flooding, vicious surf from days of record rain
The heaviest rain totals have come across just northwest of Los Angeles near the city of Oxnard and also near the Pacific Palisades burn scar where some mudslides and flash flooding was reported.
Southern California residents still facing ongoing impacts from record-breaking rain that will continue throughout today
Months worth of rain drenched California within just several days making it the wettest three-day stretch. Flash Flood Warnings and evacuations have been lifted, but mud and rock slides remain a concern. FOX Weather Meteorologist Bayne Froney is live in Woodland Hills, California with the latest update where she speaks with a resident who became stuck while driving in the mud.
SAN FRANCISCO – A deadly atmospheric river has slammed California with days of heavy rain, strong wind gusts and rough surf. The storm system has brought several months' worth of rain to Southern California in the span of just a few days.
The peak of the multi-day threat was Saturday where millions faced a level 3 out of 4 flash flood threat across California.
The heaviest rain totals have come across just northwest of Los Angeles near the city of Oxnard and also near the Pacific Palisades burn scar where some mudslides and flash flooding was reported.
Atmospheric river douses San Francisco morning commute with heavy rain
A powerful atmospheric river doused San Francisco morning commute with heavy rain Thursday morning.
In Carmel, Ca., a father drowned along the coast trying to save his 7-year-old daughter who was dragged out to sea by a 15-20 foot wave and later found dead, according to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.
Further north in the Sacramento area, a 71-year-old male delivery driver stopped his car on the Pleasant Grove Creek Bridge.
According to Sutter County officials, the bridge had 2-3 feet of water flowing over the road with heavy rain, and pushed the man's Mazda off the bridge and into a nearby creek, partially submerging the vehicle.
The man was able to call 911 for assistance, but by the time personnel arrived, the car was pushed further down the creek and was fully submerged.
The man was pulled from the car unresponsive and was declared deceased after attempts to revive him.
Near Imperial Beach, the Coast Guard reported that four migrants died due to their vessel capsizing Friday night.
Malibu, CA road closures ahead of dangerous multi-day flood threat
(Bayne Froney / FOX Weather)
By late on Saturday night, the bulk of the heavy rain started to come to an end and moved east across southern Nevada including Las Vegas.
WHAT IS A WILDFIRE BURN SCAR AND HOW COULD THEY HAVE LASTING IMPACTS?
According to the National Weather Service, ash from wildfires creates burn scars – a water-repellent coating that prevents the ground from absorbing water and causes the area to be predisposed to flash flooding and debris flows.
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Image 1 of 6FILE - PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - OCTOBER 14, 2025 -- Workers clear debris from a business destroyed in the Palisades fire as scattered downpours, powerful winds and fears of flooding continue to threaten areas of the Pacific Palisades on October 14, 2025. The recent rain prompted evacuation warnings for residents near recent burn areas in the Pacific Palisades. ((Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images))
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Image 2 of 6FILE - PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - OCTOBER 14, 2025 -- Workers clear debris from a business destroyed in the Palisades fire as scattered downpours, powerful winds and fears of flooding continue to threaten areas of the Pacific Palisades on October 14, 2025. The recent rain prompted evacuation warnings for residents near recent burn areas in the Pacific Palisades. ((Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images))
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Image 3 of 6FILE - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Water flows past trees in the Los Angeles River, swollen by storm runoff, on October 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. A strong atmospheric river storm is hitting Southern California today, triggering evacuation warnings in the Eaton and Palisades fire burn scars due to debris flow fears. ((Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images))
![in Guerneville of Sonoma County, California, United States on February 6, 2025 as an atmospheric river hits Northern California.]()
Image 4 of 6FILE - CALIFORNIA, USA - FEBRUARY 6: A woman with an umbrella walks on a road during heavy rain in Guerneville of Sonoma County, California, United States on February 6, 2025 as an atmospheric river hits Northern California. ((Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images))
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Image 5 of 6FILE - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY, 5: An abandoned car sits in floodwaters during an atmospheric river storm in Los Angeles, California on Monday, February 5, 2024. (Photo by Kyle Grillot for The Washington Post via Getty Images) ( )
![A car drives through a flooded street in Rosemead, California, on Oct. 14, 2025.]()
Image 6 of 6FILE - A car drives through a flooded street in Rosemead, California, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Evacuation warnings were issued for areas around the Palisades, Franklin, Easton and Canyon fires, amongst other locations. By Sunday morning, all evacuation warnings had been lifted.
KNOW YOUR FLOOD TERMINOLOGY: WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
All told, parts of the California coast, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, could see 3–5 inches of rain through Monday. Typically, Los Angeles averages just over 6 inches of rain from November to January.
San Diego could see 2–3 inches of through Sunday. On average, the area only sees an average of just over 4" of rain from November to January.
This graphic shows the expected rainfall
(FOX Weather)
A NEW TECH APPROACH TO FIGHTING WILDFIRES
The upper-level low will start to weaken by Sunday, but another storm will brush Northern California, renewing flash flood potential.
By Monday the storm will continue to move south and only provide a chance of rain for portions of Southern California.
This graphic shows the snow still to come
(FOX Weather)
Meanwhile, winter weather alerts have been posted for the Sierras. Some of the highest mountain passes have already closed for the season.
DRIVING ON THE ICE AND DRIVING IN THE SNOW
Wind gusts along ridgetops in the Sierras could exceed 100 mph.