Torrential rains unleashed widespread flash flooding and mud flows across Southern California on Wednesday, as authorities warned motorists to stay off roads while urging residents in flood zones to evacuate or shelter in place.

Residents of Southern California were bracing Wednesday for a powerful winter storm forecast to bring dangerous flooding as well as rock and mudslides to the region, threatening property and snarling holiday travel plans.

Millions under flood watches, evacuation orders in place as Southern California burn scar areas brace for storm. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a level 4 of 4 risk, a ma

The atmospheric river storm is likely to cause a slew of hazards this week across California, including urban flooding, downed trees, outages and travel delays.

A rare high risk for flooding has been issued for Southern California, including areas in and around Los Angeles. The heaviest rain will fall Christmas Eve into Christmas Day, so the National Weather Service is urging people to reconsider travel plans.

Rain from a powerful winter storm that swept across Southern California has begun to taper off, but another storm system was on the horizon for Christmas Day with showers and possible thunderstorms. Forecasters said Southern California could see its wettest Christmas in years and warned of flash flooding and mudslides.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued "life-threatening" flash flood warnings for parts of Southern California. Newsweek's live blog is closed.

Torrential ‌rains ​drenched Southern California on Wednesday, ‌unleashing widespread flash flooding as authorities urged motorists to stay ​off roads and residents living downslope of wildfire-scarred foothills and canyons to evacuate.