Heavy rains drench Southern California, spawn flash flooding, mud flows

Cars drive through puddles as heavy rain falls due to an atmospheric river, in an intersection in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 24, 2025. REUTERS/Jill Connelly

LOS ANGELES, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Torrential ‌rains unleashed widespread flash flooding and mud flows across Southern California on Wednesday, as authorities warned motorists to ‌stay off roads while urging residents in flood zones to evacuate or shelter in place.

In the ‌rain-soaked mountain resort of Wrightwood, east of Los Angeles, emergency crews spent much of the day answering dozens of rescue calls and pulling drivers to safety from submerged vehicles, San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesperson Christopher Prater said.