California declares emergency as powerful winter storm hits Los Angeles area

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as powerful winter storms impacts the Los Angeles area.

The declaration was issued Wednesday and applies to Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta counties as a series of storms began impacting the state on Tuesday, according to the governor’s office.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Los Angeles issued multiple flash flood warnings throughout Wednesday, including for downtown L.A.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office issued a shelter-in-place advisory at 1:37 p.m. local time for the mountain community of Wrightwood due to mud and debris flows. Authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and warned against walking or driving through flooded areas.

The NWS said the first storm system brought heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread damage, leaving roadways in poor condition and increasing the risk of mudslides and flooding. Forecasters said another storm is expected to arrive late Wednesday night and continue through Christmas Day, bringing additional rain and the potential for further debris flows.

Weather officials warned that even brief breaks in rainfall do not eliminate hazards, noting that saturated ground could lead to additional slides and dangerous conditions on roads and highways.

Newsom said state agencies have pre-deployed emergency resources across affected areas, including rescue teams, firefighting equipment, and emergency personnel, to support local response efforts. The proclamation allows state agencies to provide assistance, mobilize resources, and take emergency actions as needed.