As a potent storm unleashes havoc in California, at least three individuals have tragically lost their lives due to falling trees, amidst widespread flooding, mudslides, and power outages.

Fire officials have been tirelessly responding to over 130 flooding incidents and executing numerous rescues since the onslaught of the deluge. Meteorologists predict that heavy rain, coupled with the imminent threat of life-threatening flash flooding, will persist until Tuesday.

The unprecedented rainfall has prompted the governor to declare a state of emergency in eight counties. This relentless storm, attributed to an “atmospheric river” effect, involves the evaporation of water into the air, carried along by the wind to form elongated currents resembling rivers in the sky.

This slow-moving tempest marks the second atmospheric river to impact California within a fortnight. Evacuation orders have been issued for select hilly neighborhoods in the southern part of the state, including Los Angeles, where an emergency has been declared by city leaders.

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles urged residents to prioritize safety, stating, “It is vital now more than ever, stay safe and off the roads. Only leave your house if it is absolutely necessary.”

In northern regions, including San Francisco, landslides have been reported in one of the world’s hilliest cities. Tragically, three fatalities have resulted from tree falls, including incidents in Sacramento Valley and Santa Cruz County. An elderly man lost his life in Yuba City, Northern California, when a redwood tree fell in his backyard.

Simultaneously, the storm system has blanketed the region in heavy snow. On Monday, an avalanche struck a ski resort in Lee Canyon near Las Vegas, Nevada, fortunately causing no injuries.

Los Angeles and its environs have witnessed mudslides and debris flows, with 16 residents forced from their homes in Hollywood Hills due to destructive mudslides on Sunday. Witnesses have described surreal scenes of refrigerators and pianos flowing through streets amid the debris.

The impact has extended to upscale neighborhoods like Bel Air and Beverly Hills in LA, where damage has been reported. Stranded drivers in Los Angeles and San Bernardino County, marooned by flooding, required assistance from rescuers. The situation remains critical as emergency responders grapple with the multifaceted challenges posed by this relentless storm.