Pacific storm dumps heavy rains, unleashes flooding in California coastal cities
Pacific storm dumps heavy rains, unleashes flooding in California coastal cities
A motorist makes their way through a flooded street as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
A flooded streets is shown in front of train tracks as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
This satellite image provided by NOAA shows a storm over Southern California Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. The Pacific storm pounded parts of Southern California with heavy rain and street flooding, adding to hassles as holiday travel got underway. The early morning downpours targeted coastal Ventura County, just to the northwest of Los Angeles County, swamping areas in the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. (CIRA/NOAA via AP)
Traffic makes its way through flooded streets as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
Traffic makes its way through flooded streets as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
People walk their dogs during a break between rain showers near the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point in San Francisco, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
People walk through wet conditions along Seacliff State Beach in Aptos, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Santa Cruz County public works employees clear a storm drain in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A Santa Cruz County public works employee clears a storm drain in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
In this photo provided by Mammoth Lakes Tourism, cars make their way through the snow in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. A foot of snow has fallen at the resort and all base areas are open. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding from excessive rainfall as a slow-moving Pacific storm blows into California. (Samantha Lindberg/Mammoth Lakes Tourism via AP)
In this photo provided by Mammoth Lakes Tourism, snow falls as skiers ride a lift in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. A foot of snow has fallen at the resort and all base areas are open. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding from excessive rainfall as a slow-moving Pacific storm blows into California. (Samantha Lindberg/Mammoth Lakes Tourism via AP)
In this photo provided by Mammoth Lakes Tourism, people walk in the snow in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. A foot of snow has fallen at the resort and all base areas are open. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding from excessive rainfall as a slow-moving Pacific storm blows into California. (Samantha Lindberg/Mammoth Lakes Tourism via AP)
In this photo provided by the California Highway Patrol, fallen boulders from Echo Summit block U.S. Highway 50 in El Dorado County, Calif., early Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. The roadway was closed for three hours following the rockslide. (California Highway Patrol via AP)
An Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle makes its final approach into Ontario International Airport as it flies over an inflatable Santa Claus atop a car dealership under dark skies in Ontario, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)
A surfer jumps in the water near Steamer Lane as storm clouds approach in Santa Cruz, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A rainbow appears over the Cajalco hills near Corona, Calif., on cloudy and slightly rainy Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (Anjali Sharif-Paul/The Orange County Register via AP)
A man walks his dogs near Steamer Lane as storm clouds approach in Santa Cruz, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Southbound lanes on U.S. Highway 101 in South San Francisco, Calif., flood during a storm Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. The storm, which was likely to be more powerful than one that blew in earlier this week, was expected to finally jumpstart a laggard rainy season just a year after California was inundated by a flurry of atmospheric rivers that refilled reservoirs that had been emptied by a prolonged drought. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group via AP)
A motorist makes their way through a flooded street as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
A motorist makes their way through a flooded street as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
A flooded streets is shown in front of train tracks as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
A flooded streets is shown in front of train tracks as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
This satellite image provided by NOAA shows a storm over Southern California Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. The Pacific storm pounded parts of Southern California with heavy rain and street flooding, adding to hassles as holiday travel got underway. The early morning downpours targeted coastal Ventura County, just to the northwest of Los Angeles County, swamping areas in the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. (CIRA/NOAA via AP)
This satellite image provided by NOAA shows a storm over Southern California Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. The Pacific storm pounded parts of Southern California with heavy rain and street flooding, adding to hassles as holiday travel got underway. The early morning downpours targeted coastal Ventura County, just to the northwest of Los Angeles County, swamping areas in the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. (CIRA/NOAA via AP)
Traffic makes its way through flooded streets as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
Traffic makes its way through flooded streets as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
Traffic makes its way through flooded streets as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
Traffic makes its way through flooded streets as rain comes down Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)
People walk their dogs during a break between rain showers near the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point in San Francisco, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
People walk their dogs during a break between rain showers near the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point in San Francisco, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
People walk through wet conditions along Seacliff State Beach in Aptos, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
People walk through wet conditions along Seacliff State Beach in Aptos, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Santa Cruz County public works employees clear a storm drain in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Santa Cruz County public works employees clear a storm drain in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A Santa Cruz County public works employee clears a storm drain in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A Santa Cruz County public works employee clears a storm drain in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
In this photo provided by Mammoth Lakes Tourism, cars make their way through the snow in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. A foot of snow has fallen at the resort and all base areas are open. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding from excessive rainfall as a slow-moving Pacific storm blows into California. (Samantha Lindberg/Mammoth Lakes Tourism via AP)
In this photo provided by Mammoth Lakes Tourism, cars make their way through the snow in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. A foot of snow has fallen at the resort and all base areas are open. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding from excessive rainfall as a slow-moving Pacific storm blows into California. (Samantha Lindberg/Mammoth Lakes Tourism via AP)
In this photo provided by Mammoth Lakes Tourism, snow falls as skiers ride a lift in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. A foot of snow has fallen at the resort and all base areas are open. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding from excessive rainfall as a slow-moving Pacific storm blows into California. (Samantha Lindberg/Mammoth Lakes Tourism via AP)
In this photo provided by Mammoth Lakes Tourism, snow falls as skiers ride a lift in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. A foot of snow has fallen at the resort and all base areas are open. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding from excessive rainfall as a slow-moving Pacific storm blows into California. (Samantha Lindberg/Mammoth Lakes Tourism via AP)
In this photo provided by Mammoth Lakes Tourism, people walk in the snow in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. A foot of snow has fallen at the resort and all base areas are open. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding from excessive rainfall as a slow-moving Pacific storm blows into California. (Samantha Lindberg/Mammoth Lakes Tourism via AP)
In this photo provided by Mammoth Lakes Tourism, people walk in the snow in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. A foot of snow has fallen at the resort and all base areas are open. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding from excessive rainfall as a slow-moving Pacific storm blows into California. (Samantha Lindberg/Mammoth Lakes Tourism via AP)
In this photo provided by the California Highway Patrol, fallen boulders from Echo Summit block U.S. Highway 50 in El Dorado County, Calif., early Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. The roadway was closed for three hours following the rockslide. (California Highway Patrol via AP)
In this photo provided by the California Highway Patrol, fallen boulders from Echo Summit block U.S. Highway 50 in El Dorado County, Calif., early Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. The roadway was closed for three hours following the rockslide. (California Highway Patrol via AP)
An Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle makes its final approach into Ontario International Airport as it flies over an inflatable Santa Claus atop a car dealership under dark skies in Ontario, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)
An Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle makes its final approach into Ontario International Airport as it flies over an inflatable Santa Claus atop a car dealership under dark skies in Ontario, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)
A surfer jumps in the water near Steamer Lane as storm clouds approach in Santa Cruz, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A surfer jumps in the water near Steamer Lane as storm clouds approach in Santa Cruz, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A rainbow appears over the Cajalco hills near Corona, Calif., on cloudy and slightly rainy Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (Anjali Sharif-Paul/The Orange County Register via AP)
A rainbow appears over the Cajalco hills near Corona, Calif., on cloudy and slightly rainy Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (Anjali Sharif-Paul/The Orange County Register via AP)
A man walks his dogs near Steamer Lane as storm clouds approach in Santa Cruz, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A man walks his dogs near Steamer Lane as storm clouds approach in Santa Cruz, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Southbound lanes on U.S. Highway 101 in South San Francisco, Calif., flood during a storm Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. The storm, which was likely to be more powerful than one that blew in earlier this week, was expected to finally jumpstart a laggard rainy season just a year after California was inundated by a flurry of atmospheric rivers that refilled reservoirs that had been emptied by a prolonged drought. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Southbound lanes on U.S. Highway 101 in South San Francisco, Calif., flood during a storm Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. The storm, which was likely to be more powerful than one that blew in earlier this week, was expected to finally jumpstart a laggard rainy season just a year after California was inundated by a flurry of atmospheric rivers that refilled reservoirs that had been emptied by a prolonged drought. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group via AP)
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — A Pacific storm pounded parts of Southern California on Thursday with heavy rain and street flooding, adding to hassles as holiday travel got underway.
The downpours targeted coastal Ventura and Santa Barbara counties northwest of Los Angeles County, swamping areas in the cities of Port Hueneme, Oxnard and Santa Barbara.
Rainfall rates exceeding 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) an hour unleashed flash flooding in Ventura County, the National Weather Service said. Later in the morning, streets began filling with water in parts of Santa Barbara as the storm delivered another deluge.
The city of Port Hueneme issued evacuation orders for residences on four streets and warned of potential evacuations on four other streets. About 60 houses were affected by the orders, all in a senior citizen community, said Firefighter Andy VanSciver, a Ventura County fire spokesperson. An evacuation center was set up at a college gymnasium.
Three people from the senior community were taken to hospitals out of an abundance of caution, and there were multiple rescues of drivers from flooded vehicles, he said.
The city of Oxnard said in a social media post that many streets and intersections were heavily impacted. “Please stay off the city streets for the next several hours until the water recedes,” the post said.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Oxnard and the city of Ventura at 1:28 a.m. due to a high-intensity thunderstorm, but no tornado activity was immediately observed, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.
The storm swept through Northern California earlier in the week as the center of the low-pressure system slowly moved south off the coast. Forecasters described it as a “cutoff low,” a storm that is cut off from the general west-to-east flow and can linger for days, increasing the amount of rainfall.
The system was producing hit-and-miss bands of precipitation rather than generalized widespread rainfall. Forecasters said the low would wobble slightly away from the coast on Thursday, drawing moisture away and allowing some sunshine, but will return.
The San Diego-area weather office warned that rather than fizzling, the storm was gathering energy and its main core would move through that region overnight through Friday morning.
Meanwhile, Californians were gearing up for holiday travel and finishing preparations for Christmas. The Automobile Club of Southern California predicted 9.5 million people in the region would travel during the year-end holiday period.
The Northeast was hit with an unexpectedly strong storm earlier this week, and some parts of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont were still digging out from rain and wind damage. Parts of Maine along the Androscoggin and Kennebec rivers were hit especially hard.
Floodwaters were receding throughout northern New England, though some localized areas were still in the flood stage, said Jon Palmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Flood warnings were also still in effect in parts of Maine and New Hampshire, he said.
At least four people died in Maine as a result of the storm. The storm cut power to 400,000 customers in Maine, and restoration was still underway Thursday morning.
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Antczak reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press reporter Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report.