WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. (AP) — A powerful storm system that brought high winds, rain and snow to California this week was expected to ease on Friday, but risks of large waves, flash flooding near Los Angeles and avalanches in the Sierra Nevada remain along the coast.
Officials warned that waves near the San Francisco Bay Area could reach 25 feet (7.6 meters) on Friday, with parts of Southern California at risk of flooding and possible avalanches in the Lake Tahoe area. Residents were told to prepare to evacuate the mountain town of Wrightwood, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles because of the mudslides.
Atmospheric rivers carry large amounts of moisture from the tropics during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. The storm is believed to have caused at least two deaths earlier this week.
The National Weather Service said the system brought the wettest Christmas season to downtown Los Angeles in 54 years.
Roads in Wrightwood, a town of 5,000 residents, were covered in rocks, rubble and thick mud on Thursday. After the power outage, gas stations and coffee shops that ran on generators became hubs for residents and visitors.
“It’s been a crazy Christmas,” said Jill Jenkins, who spent the holiday with her 13-year-old grandson, Hunter Lopiccolo.
Lopiccolo said the family nearly evacuated the day before when water washed away a large section of their backyard. But they decided to stay and still celebrate the holiday. Lopiccolo got new skis and an electric bike.
“We played card games all night long with candles and flashlights,” he said.
Davey Schneider braved rain and flooding to hike a mile and a half (1.6 kilometers) from his home in Wrightwood on Wednesday to rescue cats from his grandfather’s home.
“I wanted to help them because I had no confidence that they were going to survive,” Schneider said Thursday. “Luckily, they all survived. They’re all fine – just a little scared.”
Arlene Coulter said roads in the town turned into rivers but her house was not damaged.
“It could be worse,” she said. “We’re here to talk.”
San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesman Shawn Millerick said more than 150 firefighters were stationed in the area as rainfall increased.
“We’re ready,” he said. “Everyone is working together at this moment.”
A falling tree killed a San Diego man Wednesday, news outlets reported. Further north, a Sacramento deputy died in what appeared to be a weather-related accident.
Coastal areas, including Malibu, were under a flood watch through Friday afternoon, and wind and flood warnings were issued for much of the Sacramento Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.
National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford said Southern California typically sees half an inch to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 centimeters) of rain this time of year, but this week could see between 4 and 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) in many areas, with even more in the mountains.
More wind and heavy snow are expected in the Sierra Nevada, with gusty winds causing “almost whiteout conditions” making mountain pass travel hazardous.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties to allow state aid.
The state deployed resources and first responders to several coastal and Southern California counties, and the California National Guard was on standby.
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Associated Press writers Sophie Austin (Oakland, Calif.) and Hannah Schoenbaum (Salt Lake City) contributed.