A powerful storm hit Southern California on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and causing problems on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. A Los Angeles Fire Department vehicle was swept into the ocean during a debris flow, but the firefighter inside got out with only minor injuries.
In Pacific Palisades, some roads were underwater with three feet of mud, and police helped drivers get through the slippery mess. In Altadena, a road near a place burned by fire was also flooded with mud, trees, and plants, creating a dangerous situation.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest was facing its own problems. A winter storm caused major car crashes on highways in Oregon and Washington, sending at least ten people to the hospital. Reports mentioned a pileup involving about 20 to 30 cars due to bad weather conditions.
As the storm continued, flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Los Angeles County. Some areas could see up to six inches of rain, which raised concerns about mudslides in places that were recently burned by wildfires. Officials warned residents to stay off the roads and prepared shelters for those in need.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, there were power outages and small landslides. Southern California still faces a severe drought, but experts warned that this downpour might be too much too fast.
In the East, many places experienced heavy snow and ice. Schools closed due to dangerous driving conditions, and two people died in a crash in Maine. In Mississippi, two weak tornadoes were confirmed, causing some damage but thankfully no serious injuries.
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