Read on PBS NewsCalifornia's Post-Storm Risks: High Surf, Flooding, and Avalanche Threats Continue
While a powerful storm system that battered California with relentless rain, snow, and wind is beginning to ease, significant dangers remain. Officials warn of continued high surf along the coast, flash flooding near Los Angeles, and avalanche risks in the Sierra Nevada, particularly around Lake Tahoe. This article details the ongoing threats, the storm's impact on communities like Wrightwood, and the state's emergency response efforts to protect residents during this severe weather event.
A powerful atmospheric river storm that drenched California during the busy holiday travel week is finally beginning to subside. However, as residents and officials assess the damage, they face a new phase of risk. The immediate threat of relentless rainfall and hurricane-force winds may be passing, but the aftermath presents a triad of persistent dangers: destructive high surf battering the coastline, sudden flash flooding in vulnerable urban areas, and the looming threat of avalanches in the snow-laden Sierra Nevada mountains. The transition from an active storm to a hazardous recovery period underscores the complex and lasting impact of such extreme weather events on the Golden State.
Ongoing Coastal and Inland Threats
Despite the storm system easing on Friday, December 26th, 2025, the National Weather Service and local officials maintained urgent warnings for multiple regions. The coast remains under significant threat from high surf, with waves near the San Francisco Bay Area forecast to reach heights of up to 25 feet. This poses a severe risk to coastal infrastructure, beach erosion, and public safety. Inland, the situation is equally precarious. Parts of Southern California, including areas under a flood watch until Friday afternoon such as Malibu, face a continued risk of flash flooding. This is exacerbated by already saturated ground from what has been the wettest Christmas season in downtown Los Angeles in 54 years.
Community Impact and Emergency Response
The human toll of the storm is evident in communities like Wrightwood, a mountain town approximately 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Roads were transformed into rivers of mud, rocks, and debris, trapping residents and cutting off power. With more rain forecast, over 150 firefighters were stationed in the area, prepared for potential mudslides that prompted evacuation warnings. San Bernardino County Fire spokesman Shawn Millerick emphasized the all-hands-on-deck approach, stating resources were ready. The storm has already been blamed for at least two fatalities: a man in San Diego killed by a falling tree and a Sacramento sheriff's deputy in a weather-related vehicle crash.
Avalanche Danger in the Sierra Nevada
While coastal and southern regions grapple with water, the Sierra Nevada faces a different peril. The heavy snowfall, combined with high winds creating near white-out conditions, has significantly elevated the avalanche risk around the Lake Tahoe area. Travel through mountain passes remains treacherous. This multi-faceted threat landscape—from ocean surf to mountain snow—demonstrates the statewide scale of the weather event's aftermath.
Statewide Mobilization and Preparedness
In response to the cascading crises, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in six counties to streamline state assistance and resource deployment. The California National Guard was placed on standby, and state resources were directed to several coastal and Southern California counties. This coordinated response highlights the severity of the situation and the proactive measures being taken to mitigate further risk to life and property as California navigates the dangerous aftermath of this historic holiday storm.
