By Abdullahi Lukman
Rainstorms across southern California began to taper off on Friday, but forecasters warned that even light additional rainfall could trigger flooding and mudslides in already saturated areas.
At least three people have died during the severe weather over the Christmas period, as a series of powerful storms battered the region.
The storms dropped about 6 inches of rain in Los Angeles County, with up to 18 inches recorded in mountainous areas, forcing evacuations and closing major highways.
More than 50,000 customers remained without electricity on Friday as utility crews worked to restore power.
Flood watches and advisories were still in effect, with the US National Weather Service warning that the risk of flooding remained high, particularly in mountain regions that have seen days of heavy rain.
The storms were driven by multiple atmospheric rivers, weather systems that carry large amounts of moisture from the ocean and can produce intense rain and snow.
The impacts were felt during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, complicating holiday movement.
Emergency responders carried out numerous rescues, including motorists trapped in rising floodwaters.
Authorities confirmed that a 64-year-old man in San Diego was killed by a falling tree, while a 74-year-old man died after floodwaters overwhelmed his vehicle in Redding.
Earlier in the week, a woman in her 70s was swept into the ocean by a large wave at a state park in Mendocino County.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said a limited number of evacuation orders remained in place as conditions gradually improved.
Meteorologists said Friday’s rainfall would be lighter and shorter-lived, with drier weather expected over the weekend, especially across southern California.
