Southern California hit with evacuation warnings after a powerful new Christmas Day storm

California was struck by another powerful storm on Christmas Day, following days of relentless rain and mudslides, prompting evacuation warnings and high surf advisories. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department issued an evacuation warning for the mountain town of Wrightwood, where roads were covered in mud, rocks, and debris; many residents relied on generators for power. This latest storm, part of an atmospheric river system, caused significant flooding risks, with the National Weather Service predicting waves up to 25 feet near the San Francisco Bay Area and 4 to 8 inches of rain in Southern California. The severe weather across the state resulted in more than 70,000 power outages and was blamed for at least two deaths, including a San Diego man killed by a falling tree and a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy in a weather-related crash. In Wrightwood, residents described a “crazy Christmas,” with some families, like the Lopiccolos, nearly evacuating but ultimately staying to celebrate by candlelight. In response to the ongoing hazards, more than 150 firefighters were stationed in the San Bernardino County area, prepared for further emergencies. The storm system's impact extended beyond California, moving toward the Midwest and Northeast, where freezing rain, sleet, and heavy ice were forecasted, threatening travel and causing additional power outages in states like Pennsylvania and Michigan. Heavy snow was also expected in the Sierra Nevada, creating near white-out conditions, treacherous mountain travel, and a high avalanche risk around Lake Tahoe, where up to three feet of new snow was anticipated. Governor Gavin Newsom declared emergencies in six counties to deploy state assistance and ensure the California National Guard was on standby to aid affected regions.