Powerful Storm Causes Widespread Flooding in Southern California

A powerful storm system hit Southern California, leading to widespread flooding and hazardous conditions. As a result, Cal State Los Angeles has directed its students, faculty, and staff to stay home and conduct classes and work remotely for their safety. President Berenecea Johnson Eanes announced that classes at Cal State LA will be held online, while events and student services on the main campus and Cal State LA Downtown are canceled for tomorrow. The decision to shift to remote learning was made to ensure the well-being of the university community.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that an intersection in the San Fernando Valley region, specifically Oxnard Street and Donna Avenue in Tarzana, was severely flooded. Several vehicles were left stranded, but the occupants wisely stayed in their vehicles for safety until they could be rescued. Los Angeles County, with its 10 million residents, is currently under a flash flood warning, including cities like Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, and Pomona. Residents are urged to move to higher ground and avoid floodwaters.

California State University, San Bernardino, also decided to close its main campus and Palm Desert campus due to the storm. Faculty have been advised to shift their instruction to virtual platforms and communicate with students accordingly. Only essential operations will continue at the campuses, with staff encouraged to work remotely whenever possible. Nearly 1 million people in California are currently without power, primarily in Santa Clara County, as the storm continues to cause disruptions.

The storm has brought impressive rainfall totals over the past two days, with some areas experiencing up to 5.91 inches of rain. Matilija Canyon in Ventura County recorded the highest total so far. The heavy rain is expected to persist in the Los Angeles area throughout the night. To ensure the safety of students, several universities, including the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Cal State Northridge, have advised students to stay home and conduct virtual classes. Other campuses, like Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, will remain open but encourage flexibility in attendance and virtual learning options.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, allowing for the activation of the National Guard and faster recovery efforts if needed. The National Weather Service has issued warnings and advisories for various counties, including Santa Barbara County, where floodwaters have already overwhelmed Santa Barbara’s Mission Creek. The storm is expected to continue impacting the state over the coming days, with the potential for more flooding, heavy snowfall in mountainous regions, and strong winds.