Southern California hit by massive storm, at least 2 dead

The biggest storm in years hit Southern California on February 18, forcing hundreds to evacuate, killing two people, causing power outages and canceling many flights.

A road is blocked after hundreds of people were evacuated due to the risk of landslides caused by the storm in Duarte, California. Photo: AFP

One person was electrocuted to death after a tree fell on a power line and several people trapped near the Los Angeles River were rescued by boat, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said, according to AFP.

USA Today reported on February 18 that flooding on the streets of Victorville caused many cars to be submerged up to their roofs. One person died when he was rescued by helicopter from his flooded car, while his companion was saved.

US media reported that about 150 power lines were damaged, causing power outages in many areas of Los Angeles, affecting about 100,000 people.

A Los Angeles International Airport official said 64 flights were canceled and 269 were delayed due to the storm.

Authorities warn of the risk of sudden flooding in many areas of California, which is currently in the winter and has been hit by a series of recent storms.

The February 18 storm brought heavy rain and strong winds that mainly affected southern California, but heavy rain was forecast from central California to the San Francisco Bay area.

Hundreds of residents in Duarte, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains east of Los Angeles, were ordered to evacuate their homes on February 17 due to the risk of mudslides. Residents in Camarillo Springs, north of Los Angeles, were also evacuated.

“This is the strongest storm to hit California this season,” the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said in a statement.

The National Weather Service warned that the storm could cause landslides and flooding, and urged residents to be cautious of falling trees on power lines.

But northern California, which suffered flooding last week that damaged the Oroville Dam and forced the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people, is not expected to see heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service. Severe weather is expected to continue throughout the day on February 18, according to AFP.

According to TNO