Western Water and Wildfire Risk

A powerful winter storm bringing torrential rain, heavy snow and high winds has slammed California and threatens more than 30 million residents, prompting flash‑flood warnings for millions in Los Angeles County and evacuation warnings through Tuesday for burn‑scar neighborhoods at risk of mud and debris flows. Authorities have halted traffic on parts of I‑80 after spinouts and crashes, shut southbound US‑101 in Santa Barbara County after a fallen tree, pre‑positioned fire and rescue resources, closed or limited major theme parks (including Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm), and warned of up to 8 feet of snow on the western Sierra slopes, northern Shasta County (including parts of I‑5) and portions of the Coast Range before the storm exits late Wednesday.