Powerful Storm Batters Southern California with Flash Floods, Mudslides

• A powerful winter storm brought heavy rains, gusty winds, mudslides, and debris flows across California, especially Southern California.
• Evacuation orders were issued for wildfire-scorched areas like Wrightwood and Lytle Creek, with water rescues reported in San Bernardino County.
• Roads were blocked, including parts of Interstate 5, and over 125,000 lost power due to the severe weather.
• A Sacramento Sheriff Deputy, James Caravallo, died in a weather-related crash on a wet road.
• Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties as multiple atmospheric rivers fueled the storm.

Why It Matters: Severe winter storm causes widespread disruption, evacuations, and a fatality across California.