LOS ANGELES (AP) — Torrential rains have drenched parts of Southern California, leading to new flash flood warnings as the region braces for near-record November rainfall. The National Weather Service reported prior warnings of flash flooding affecting streets, creeks, and streams in several areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties. In Huntington Beach, heavy rainfall transformed street depths into streams.
Flash flood warnings have spread from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica and Mission Viejo, reporting numerous vehicles stuck in floodwaters, particularly around Culver City.
Since mid-November, the area has amassed over four times its typical rainfall, reaching about 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters) up from the normal 0.78 inches (2 cm).
Heavy rain has particularly hit Santa Barbara County, with parts of the Santa Ynez Mountains witnessing unprecedented totals of over 15 inches (38 cm) this month, contributing to flash flood concerns. An atmospheric river is linked to this extreme weather, which has already resulted in multiple fatalities within California earlier this November. These storms pose serious threats of mudslides, especially within regions recently affected by wildfires, as moisture-laden air flows from the tropics into these areas.
