At least three people have died in the historic floods ravaging California, as multi-million dollar mansions are destroyed by rivers of rushing mud and boulders – while forecasters predict more rain to come.
The Pineapple Express, a weather system lingering over much of the Golden State, is causing chaos in several regions, including the star-studded neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, Malibu and Montecito.
The severe weather system has killed three Californians so far and 38 million people remain under flood warnings as the National Weather Service predicts additional rainfall of up to six inches on Tuesday.
Forecasters estimate that a slow-moving and narrow axis of abnormal moisture will continue to concentrate over Southern California over the next 12 to 24 hours, leaving a significant threat of life-threatening flash flooding.
Chad Ensey, 41, died Sunday at his home in Sacramento County when a storm fell on him during the storm, reported NBC News.
At least three people have died in the historic floods that have ravaged California, as multi-million dollar mansions are destroyed by rivers of rushing mud and boulders. Pictured flooding in Los Angeles
More than 38 million people remain under flood warnings as the National Weather Service predicts additional rainfall of up to six inches on Tuesday. Pictured is a large mudslide in Los Angeles
Evacuation orders were canceled for Santa Barbara County and downgraded for Ventura County. Firefighters rescued a homeless woman from floodwaters in San Bernardino on Monday
It comes as 82-year-old David Gomes died after being struck by a large sequoia tree in Yuba City, Northern California, on Sunday evening, per ABC10.
An unidentified resident of Boulder Creek, California, died from injuries sustained after a tree fell into their home on Sunday.
An atmospheric river brought gusty winds to the Bay Area and the Central Coast on Sunday, with the strongest winds in the Coastal Mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
The chief operating officer of California utility Pacific Gas & Electric said Sunday was one of the most damaging single-day storms on record in terms of outages.
About 2.5 million people in the Los Angeles area, including the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills, have already collected up to 10 inches of fallen rain and are forecast to get another 6 inches.
Harry and Meghan, George Clooney, Lady Gaga and Halle Berry are among the celebrities whose homes are threatened by the severe storms.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for several California neighborhoods until 4 p.m. Tuesday, and some residents have even been evacuated.
In a dramatic operation in the early hours of Monday morning, LA firefighters rescued 16 people from nine properties in Studio City – the same neighborhood where George Clooney lives in his $2.2 million luxury apartment.
Many residents in the same neighborhood woke up Monday morning to find mud, rocks and debris scattered across the streets, while strong winds have blown rocks onto parked cars and sidewalks.
Harry and Meghan’s $14.65 million Montecito mansion is still at risk of flooding. The Duke of Sussex left his wife and two children in California to fend off the storm as he flies back to London to visit his father following his cancer diagnosis.
About 2.5 million people in the Los Angeles area, including the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills, have already collected up to 10 inches of fallen rain and are forecast to get another 6 inches. Imagine a tree that fell on a car during the California flood
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for several California neighborhoods until 4 p.m. Tuesday. A fallen tree lies on top of a car in Los Angeles on Monday
Vehicles remain stuck by a mudslide as a powerful atmospheric river storm hits Southern California in Beverly Hills
Meanwhile, star-studded Malibu is being lashed by torrential rain, and the city is currently under a coastal flood warning, with the NWS warning residents to stay out of the water due to “dangerous surf conditions.”
The luxurious beachside city is home to the likes of Halle Berry, who has an $8.5 million mansion complete with an outdoor Jacuzzi that she occasionally shows off on Instagram.
Lady Gaga also owns a sprawling mansion in Malibu – the same property where Bradley Cooper offered her the lead role of Ally in A Star Is Born, for which she later won an Oscar.
But apocalyptic scenes have unfolded in the beachside city, with water and mud flowing through the streets in some areas, despite giant sandbags being used to prevent landslides.
At least 350,000 households in the state were still without power as of Monday evening, according to national tracker poweroutage.us.
Ventura County downgraded their evacuation order to an evacuation warning, but said there is currently no access to the area due to storm damage to the fair weather crossing.
All evacuation orders for Santa Barbara County were canceled at noon on Monday.
Meanwhile, in San Bernardino County, first responders rescued three people from a vehicle after it was submerged by floodwaters Sunday night.
Dramatic footage shows a team using life rafts to approach the vehicle before helping its occupants escape to dry land.
LA firefighters also rescued 16 people from their homes on Lockridge Road, Studio City, after a debris flow caused “significant damage” to nine properties.
The Construction and Safety Department is on site to evaluate the situation said.
On Monday, a vortex formed around a city worker in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles
The chief operating officer of California utility Pacific Gas & Electric said Sunday was one of the most damaging single-day storms on record in terms of outages. Damage depicted from the storm in Studio City
An atmospheric river brought gusty winds to the Bay Area and Central Coast on Sunday, with the strongest winds in the Coastal Mountains. Debris pictured in Studio City
Rain canceled the final round of the professional golf tournament at Pebble Beach in Northern California’s Monterey County. With heavy rain forecast for Monday, the PGA Tour ended the event after just three days and Wyndham Clark was declared the winner.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in eight counties with a combined population of more than 20 million people, and flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
“This has the potential to be a historic storm, bringing high winds, thunderstorms and even brief tornadoes,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference.
Los Angeles experienced its 10th wettest day on record on Sunday – with 10.2 centimeters of rain showering the downtown area alone.
Not only did the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County get soaked, but the storm was expected to linger or change course in some areas until Tuesday, creating a serious risk of flooding and mudslides.