Atmospheric river finally ends its assault on California as last of Flood Watches expire
The relentless precipitation that has led to issues up and down the state has come to an end, but not after dumping additional heavy rain in Southern California, including Los Angeles, on Wednesday morning, which has now seen its fourth-wettest February on record.
Massive landslide blocks California roadway
FOX Weather's Max Gorden is reporting from Malibu, California, where an earlier mudslide made Malibu Canyon Road impassable.
LOS ANGELES – Flood alerts in Southern California, including the Los Angeles area, were dropped Wednesday as a multiday atmospheric river storm finally pushed out of the region after dumping torrential rain that led to numerous reports of flash flooding, mudslides and landslides this week.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 19: Vehicles drive through the rain on the 101 freeway on February 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Another atmospheric river storm is delivering heavy rains to California two weeks after a powerful storm brought widespread flooding, mudslides and power outages to parts of the state. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
The relentless precipitation that has led to issues up and down the state has come to an end, but not after dumping additional heavy rain in Southern California, including Los Angeles, on Wednesday morning, which has now seen its fourth-wettest February on record.
So far, downtown Los Angeles has seen 12.56 inches of rain in February, more than an inch below the top total of 13.68 inches set in February 1998.
The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles issued a storm report that indicated a driver was injured early Wednesday morning after they drove into a flooded area and lost control on U.S. Highway 101 near Johnson Drive in Oxnard.
Watch: Massive mudslide in California closes road near Santa Paula
Crews are working to clear mud and debris from a road near Santa Paula in California after a massive mudslide on Wednesday. There's no word on when the road will be allowed to reopen.
Officials were forced to close Route 150 near Santa Paula due to mudflow. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Caltrans District 7 said mud continued flowing as crews worked to remove debris from the road. It's unknown when the road will reopen.
The California Highway Patrol said a mud and rockslide was reported on Malibu Canyon Road in Malibu on Wednesday.
Flooded roads were reported in several parts of the state this week, including in Sacramento and San Jose, and landslides were reported in the Santa Rosa area.
SEE IT: ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TRIGGERS CALIFORNIA LANDSLIDES, HIGH-WATER RESCUES
A photo showing large boulders that crashed onto the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. (Lost Hills Sheriff's Station/Facebook)
Numerous trees were brought down due to the ferocious winds in Santa Cruz, and the heavy rain sent massive boulders half the size of cars down mountainsides in the Montecito and Summerland areas.
Several roads were closed due to flooding in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and a landslide was reported in the Los Angeles area east of Point Mugu in Ventura County.
Heavy rain pushes out of California
The FOX Forecast Center said that while the gloomy weather ended, it didn't go down without a fight.
The final round of heavy precipitation occurred over Los Angeles and Southern California, adding to the rain totals already recorded over the past several days.
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Watch: Video shows dramatic rescue of drivers trapped by rising floodwaters in California
The California Highway Patrol’s Coastal Division Air Operations shared dramatic video showing the rescue of drivers who became trapped by rapidly rising floodwaters in California as a multiday atmospheric river storm slammed the state with heavy rain and damaging wind gusts on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.
The FOX Forecast Center said what’s left of the system is spreading into the Rockies.
HOW FLOODWATER CAN MAKE YOU VERY SICK
The snow in the Rockies could be heavy at times, and travel through the passes could be treacherous.
The highest elevations could see a foot of snow, while lower elevations will see some rain.