Title: Fatal Crash Amidst Heavy Rainfall Hits Los Angeles County
In the wake of persistent heavy rainfall in Southern California, a tragic incident unfolded in Los Angeles County early Friday, claiming the life of a driver whose vehicle hydroplaned and submerged in water. The fatal crash occurred in the city of Carson during the onslaught of heavy rains and coastal flooding triggered by an atmospheric river wreaking havoc across the region.
The accident transpired around 3:40 a.m. as the driver, identified as a man in his 30s, was traveling south on Avalon Boulevard, as reported by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Roberto Catalan to CNN. According to Catalan, an investigation revealed that the driver was operating the vehicle at a speed of 70 to 75 mph when it hydroplaned, collided with a concrete center divider, and subsequently submerged in the Dominguez Channel.
The storm system that plagued coastal Southern California delivered substantial rainfall, ranging from 1 to 5 inches, between early Wednesday and late Thursday, with some areas experiencing over 6 inches. This deluge led to knee-deep floodwaters, road closures, and evacuation warnings in Ventura County just days before the holiday weekend.
Although Thursday marked the atmospheric river’s peak impact, heavy rain persisted on Friday, posing a threat to California and the Southwest. Parts of Southern California and southern Arizona faced a Level 2 (out of 4) risk for excessive rainfall, according to the Weather Prediction Center, with potential accumulations of up to 2 inches.
Flood watches remained in effect through Friday evening in various Southern California areas and through Friday night in southern Arizona, according to the National Weather Service. While an additional inch of rain was forecasted for the Los Angeles area on Friday, the primary concern shifted inland, east of the region’s mountains.
Ventura County witnessed severe flooding, with Oxnard’s downtown area experiencing flooding after a month’s worth of rain fell within a single hour on Thursday morning. The impact of 3.18 inches of rain in an hour was emphasized by the National Weather Service, noting that it exceeded the average rainfall for the entire month of December (2.56 inches).
The torrential downpour affected at least 60 homes in Ventura County, leading to an increase in emergency calls. The county’s fire department received 275 calls within five hours, significantly surpassing the typical daily average of 190 calls.
As a result of the flooding, officials in Ventura County issued evacuation warnings for parts of the county. Santa Barbara also faced challenges, with forceful rainfall causing road closures on ramps to Highway 101.
Meanwhile, on the East Coast, residents are still grappling with the aftermath of a deadly storm that hit the Northeast earlier in the week. Over 45,000 homes and businesses in Maine remain without power, with temperatures expected to remain in the 20s and low 30s. The storm, which led to at least eight storm-related deaths, left parts of the region flooded and damaged.
A driver dies after his vehicle hydroplaned amid heavy rain in Los Angeles areahttps://t.co/nVcogBIjHr
— Umar Abubakar Yusuf (@spyoo7gmb) December 23, 2023