Deadly Winter Storms Hit the United States Again, Disrupting Lives and Travel Amid a Familiar Cycle of Floods and Extreme Weather
A powerful winter storm system swept across large parts of the United States during the Christmas holiday period, leaving at least three people dead in California and triggering widespread disruption to daily life and travel.
Torrential rain, flash floods, mudslides, heavy snowfall, and fierce winds combined to expose—once again—the recurring vulnerability of large parts of the US to natural calamities that strike with near-annual regularity.
Mudslides and Flooding Ravage Southern California
In the mountain town of Wrightwood, located about 130 km northeast of Los Angeles, massive mudslides buried vehicles and partially engulfed homes after days of relentless rainfall.
Authorities said the region experienced one of its wettest Christmas periods in decades, as waterlogged hillsides collapsed under sustained pressure.
According to the National Weather Service, some areas recorded up to 12 inches of rain in a short span.
The deluge washed out roads, overwhelmed drainage systems, and destabilised terrain, prompting evacuation warnings for Wrightwood, a town of roughly 5,000 residents.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department confirmed that at least one person was injured in the mudslide.
Several roads remained closed days later, and evacuation advisories stayed in place as authorities warned that further flash flooding and landslides were still possible.
“We’re still not quite out of the woods,” said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, “though the worst of the storm has passed.”
Rescues, Power Failures, and Communities Under Strain
More than 100 people were rescued across Los Angeles County, including 21 airlifted from stranded vehicles as floodwaters surged through streets and highways.
Emergency services reported numerous traffic collisions amid poor visibility and submerged roads.
In Wrightwood, power outages plunged homes into darkness. A petrol station and a coffee shop—operating on generators—became makeshift community hubs.
Residents spoke of roads turning into rivers and neighbours helping one another through the chaos.
“It’s a crazy Christmas,” said resident Jill Jenkins, whose garden was partially washed away by floodwaters.
More than 150 firefighters were deployed in the area. “It’s all hands on deck,” said county fire spokesperson Shawn Millerick.
Nationwide Travel Disruption During Peak Holiday Season
The storm system stretched far beyond California, bringing heavy snow and high winds across central and eastern parts of the country.
Airports in New York and other northeastern cities faced major delays as airlines scrambled to cope with deteriorating conditions.
By Friday night, around 1,600 flights had been cancelled and more than 7,400 delayed nationwide, according to FlightAware.
Travellers were urged to monitor flight updates and allow extra time, while drivers were advised to carry emergency supplies and avoid unnecessary travel, particularly overnight.
Lives Lost to Extreme Weather
At least three deaths were linked to the storms in California. A driver in Redding died after becoming trapped in a flooded vehicle.
A sheriff’s deputy in Sacramento was killed in a weather-related crash, and a man in San Diego reportedly died after a falling tree struck him during high winds.
A Repeating Pattern of Natural Calamities
Meteorologists attributed the storms to atmospheric rivers—long corridors of moisture that transport tropical rainfall toward the US West Coast.
While these systems are natural, their increasing intensity has made floods, mudslides, thunderstorms, and winter storms a recurring threat across the United States.
Almost every year, different regions of the country face devastating floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, or winter storms.
These disasters routinely disrupt lives, damage infrastructure, overwhelm emergency services, and halt economic activity—raising urgent questions about climate resilience, land-use planning, and long-term disaster preparedness.
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