Flood threat renews for millions across Northern California after deadly weekend inundation

Flood threat renews for Northern California after weekend inundation

A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat remains for Northern California through Tuesday, as the first of a series of storms begins to pick up where this weekend's atmospheric river left off. It is forecast to come ashore and bring heavy rain and powerful wind gusts beginning Tuesday afternoon. San Francisco and Sacramento are under the Level 2 flash flood threat. Almost the entire California coast is under a Wind Alert through Thursday. A Flood Watch is also in effect across most of the state through Friday.

REDDING, Calif. – Northern California is once again in the crosshairs of a flood threat after an atmospheric river brought deadly inundation and more than a foot of rain in some places since Saturday. Meanwhile, more heavy rain and flooding are forecast to persist and expand into Southern California through the Christmas holiday week.

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Flooding in Redding, California on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.

(Redding Police Department/Facebook / FOX Weather)

The city of Redding saw widespread flooding Sunday into Monday that left at least one person dead. Police said a driver became trapped after driving into a flooded underpass Sunday and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. 

Police and firefighters executed multiple water rescues, as floodwaters forced people from their homes.

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In Humboldt County, Caltrans shut down U.S. Highway 101 in both directions north of Loleta on Sunday, as flooding swamped a significant north-south artery for the West Coast. 

More delays are expected at San Francisco International and Los Angeles International Airports on Tuesday, after rain snarled holiday travel during one of the busiest air travel periods of the year.

A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat remains for Northern California through Tuesday, as the first of a series of storms begins to pick up where this weekend's atmospheric river left off. 

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The first storm is forecast to come ashore and bring heavy rain and powerful wind gusts beginning Tuesday afternoon. San Francisco and Sacramento are under the Level 2 flash flood threat.

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The heaviest rain will begin to shift south on Christmas Eve, but the San Francisco metro area should expect 3-5 inches of rain through Friday.

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According to the FOX Forecast Center, this storm system is expected to intensify as it comes onshore, producing wind gusts up to 80 mph along the coast.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Wind Alerts for almost the entire California coast through Thursday.  Wind gusts of up to 80 mph are possible. 

Rare 'high risk' of dangerous flooding in Los Angeles area Christmas Eve

Heavy rain along the Interstate 5 corridor in Southern California beginning Wednesday. 

RARE 'HIGH RISK' OF DANGEROUS FLOODING IN LOS ANGELES AREA CAUSES CONCERN FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

The Los Angeles area is forecast to see excessive rainfall with a high risk of flooding into Christmas Eve.

With a rare level 4 out of 4 risk, some areas just north of Los Angeles, into Santa Clarita and Glendale, could receive a month’s worth of rain in just days.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, rain rates could approach an inch per hour, threatening areas near burn scars from January's wildfire disaster with mudslides.

An evacuation warning has been issued for areas recently impacted by wildfires, where there are burn scars. The Los Angeles Fire Department said an evacuation warning has been issued for debris flows from 11 a.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Thursday.

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Fire officials are warning Pacific Palisades residents to prepare for possible evacuations, too. Visit the City of Los Angeles website for the latest on evacuation orders.

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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FILE- SANTA MONICA, CA - MARCH 12,  2025 - -  Workers walk along Pacific Coast Highway, at Estrada Dr.., minutes before the highway was shutdown in Santa Monica on March 12, 2025. Caltrans closed a segment of Pacific Coast Highway to residents and businesses in burn scar areas at noon Wednesday due to safety concerns from the incoming storm. Only emergency vehicles and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris-hauling contractors will be allowed through the closure. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

All told, this could rank among the city's wettest Christmas periods on record.

Flood Watches remain in effect for much of the entire state through at least Friday.

Feet of snow expected across Sierra Nevada

Meanwhile, those driving over the Sierras should expect mountain pass closures and hazardous travel conditions beginning Tuesday through Friday.

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Feet of snow are expected to fall on the Sierras through the holiday week, with snow levels dropping to 5,000 feet. 

Winter Weather Alerts have been issued for the Sierras through Friday.