Severe weather conditions consumed Southern California on Christmas eve, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to issue a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
Heavy rains battered parts of California, pushing for swift evacuation. In addition to triggering flash flood warnings for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, effective until 6 pm Wednesday (local time), LA County was also expected to witness strong thunderstorms. A looming threat of tornado also emerged on the horizon.
Gov Newsom declares state of emergency for Southern California
“California is acting early and decisively to do all we can to get ahead of dangerous winter storms,” Gavin Newsom said in a statement on Christmas eve (US time). “The state has pre-positioned resources, activated emergency authorities, and we are working closely with local partners to protect communities and keep Californians safe.”
With atmospheric rivers, intense rainfall, and strong winds ahead, I’m declaring a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta counties to activate emergency authorities and preposition resources to keep our communities safe. pic.twitter.com/C3eLImPkwx
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) December 24, 2025
Video of Los Angeles freeway submerged under floodwaters
According to local US news outlet KTLA’s coverage, torrential downpours prompted by Wednesday’s atmospheric river resulted in street flooding across Los Angeles. This particularly triggered a full closure of the 5 Freeway, which is usually a busy passage.
A video, originally shared on the Citizen app, showed the interstate submerged under water near Penrose Street in the northeast San Fernando Valley at about noon.
Ultimately, both sides of the freeway were closed from Penrose Street to Lankershim Boulevard, and is expected to remain that way “until further notice.” Local news reports cited the California Highway Patrol saying that Caltrans crews’ operation to clear the water was underway.
Ken Clark, a retired expert meteorologist who was with AccuWeather from 1974 to 2018, advised people against crossing flooded roadways. “Major freeway is under feet of water in Los Angeles. This is not, and will not, be the only major road that has flooding problems,” he wrote on X. “Never cross flooded roadways. If at all possible stay home. Secondary surface streets are even more subject to flooding.”
Major freeway is under feet of water in Los Angeles. This is not, and will not, be the only major road that has flooding problems. Never cross flooded roadways. If at all possible stay home. Secondary surface streets are even more subject to flooding. #cawx #flooding pic.twitter.com/L2RIjpVTy5
— Ken Clark (@ClarkKenwxman) December 24, 2025
This is a developing story.