• Southern California is grappling with severe winter storms, leading to flash floods and hazardous travel conditions.
• Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in multiple counties, facilitating resource mobilization.
• Residents in wildfire-scarred regions are under evacuation warnings due to mudslide risks.

Southern California has been inundated with torrential rain as winter storms intensify over the Christmas period, leading to severe flash flooding and hazardous travel conditions. Authorities are urging holiday travelers to reconsider their plans, as many areas are predicted to receive between 4 to 10 inches of rain, exacerbated by storm systems fueled by an atmospheric river, known as "the Pineapple Express," that transports moisture from Hawaii to the West Coast. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that hazardous conditions will persist into Christmas, putting lives and property in jeopardy, according to CBS News and Reuters.

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency across several regions, including Los Angeles, to expedite assistance as flash-flood warnings continue for vulnerable areas. Evacuation orders have been issued for approximately 130 households deemed at risk for mudslides and debris flows, particularly in locations that experienced wildfires last year. The Red Cross has opened shelters to accommodate residents forced to evacuate, indicating the seriousness of the situation, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The first waves of rain arrived Tuesday night, resulting in downed trees and power outages affecting tens of thousands across Southern California. Reports indicate that as many as 101,000 homes and businesses have been left without electricity due to hazards from the storm. NWS meteorologist Ariel Cohen emphasized that this storm could deliver up to a foot of rain in some areas and warned of "life-threatening" conditions that could cause significant flooding, rockslides, and mudslides, especially in the mountains, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Authorities have warned that travel should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, as road closures have compounded the already congested traffic conditions due to the storm. Residents have voiced concerns over safety while others have opted to remain at home amid the severe weather alerts. While some are still planning holiday gatherings, the overall atmosphere is marked by uncertainty and precaution, as wind gusts up to 80 mph in certain areas have increased the risk of further outages and structural damage, reports Channel News Asia and CBS News.