A powerful atmospheric river storm moved through Southern California on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and wreaking havoc on coastal communities. The storm, which had already dumped significant rainfall across Northern California, continued its path of destruction as it made its way south.

The rain from the storm resulted in widespread flooding and road closures in southern Los Angeles County and northwestern San Diego County. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for multiple communities, including Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, and Encinitas. The warning urged residents to be prepared for potentially life-threatening flooding, with rainfall rates predicted to reach up to three-quarters of an inch per hour.

The city of San Diego reported several flooded or closed roads as the storm system moved in. The heaviest rainfall was expected to occur from noon through 3 p.m., with the National Weather Service predicting that the region could see anywhere from 2.3 to 10.2 inches of rain from two successive atmospheric-river-fueled storms.

A flood watch remained in effect for the surrounding region, including the deserts of San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. In response to the potential dangers, San Diego officials issued a voluntary evacuation warning for communities in the Chollas Creek watershed, where flash flooding had occurred the previous week.

The storm also brought significant rainfall to Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flood advisory. This advisory warned of likely flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage areas, as up to 3 inches of rain fell in just a few hours. The prediction became a reality as major roadways across the region were closed due to flooding, causing significant disruptions to the morning commute.

In Long Beach, an industrial region of the city experienced extensive flooding, with waters submerging multiple vehicles. Homeless individuals living in cars, RVs, trucks, and vans were particularly affected as water levels rose to the base of their vehicles' doors. Residents reported unprecedented flooding in the area, with one individual waiting to be rescued from their vehicle by firefighters.

The storm's impact also extended to other areas, with a mudslide closing off almost seven miles of Palos Verdes Drive South in Ventura County. Roads in Santa Monica and Huntington Beach were also affected, leading to closures due to flooding.

While the storm brought significant challenges, meteorologists in Oxnard assured that the heavy rain would be short-lived, with most of the rainfall in Los Angeles expected to end in the next couple of hours. By noon, many of the flooded roads had reopened in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, allowing for the gradual return to normalcy.

As Southern California continues to experience the aftermath of this major atmospheric river storm, residents are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety in the face of unpredictable weather conditions.