In what is being described as a historic deluge, California finds itself grappling with a relentless storm that has wreaked havoc across the state. Since Sunday, record-breaking rainfall has lashed the region, leading to an increased risk of mudslides, flash flooding, and power outages. As the storm continues to linger, millions of people in urban centers remain under the looming threat of further devastation.

Los Angeles, a city notably affected by the storm, has been hit hard by over 300 mudslides and structural damage to numerous buildings. Tragically, at least three individuals have lost their lives as a result of the severe weather. Additionally, around 130,000 residents currently find themselves without power as the storm continues to take its toll.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has predicted that showers and thunderstorms will persist in Southern California, including Los Angeles, which experienced a record-breaking 4.1 inches (10.4 cm) of rainfall on Sunday, breaking a century-old record. Disturbing images from upscale neighborhoods in LA show submerged cars, flooded streets, and houses strewn with debris.

In response to the crisis, Los Angeles swiftly mobilized search-and-rescue teams, helicopter pilots, and over 1,000 firefighters to assist affected communities. However, the situation remains dire, as the ground has become supersaturated and unable to absorb any more water. As Ariel Cohen, the chief NWS forecaster in LA, warned, even a minimal amount of additional rainfall could result in further landslides, mudslides, rockslides, and debris flows.

The gravity of the situation prompted a state of emergency declaration in eight California counties, and on Monday, President Joe Biden personally reached out to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to offer federal assistance. The Los Angeles Fire Department shared distressing images of a dog being rescued from a river via helicopter after its owner bravely attempted to save it.

Even the upscale neighborhood of Beverly Hills was not immune to the storm's wrath, as resident Jeb Johenning recounted his harrowing experience of witnessing "an avalanche of mud" cascading down nearby slopes. The storm's intensity has been attributed to an atmospheric river effect, a meteorological phenomenon characterized by water evaporating into the air and forming long currents that resemble rivers, creating treacherous conditions.

The impact of this slow-moving storm has been further magnified by a previous atmospheric river that hit California just two weeks prior. As UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain explained, the storm underwent bombogenesis, causing a dramatic drop in atmospheric pressure and earning the term "bomb cyclone." This weather event has dealt a severe blow to San Francisco County, where coastal flooding continues to present a serious concern, rendering beaches hazardous and causing flooding in various areas.

As the storm front continues to move, warnings of coastal flooding have been issued as far south as San Diego and the US-Mexico border. The Central Coast and Bay Area suffered from wind gusts of up to 75 mph (121 km/h), toppling trees and disrupting power to over 800,000 homes. Evacuation orders have been issued for multiple neighborhoods in Los Angeles, particularly in areas where previous wildfires left burn scars that make them more susceptible to landslides.

Tragedy has struck in different parts of the state, with three deaths recorded thus far. Falling trees claimed two lives, one in Sacramento Valley and another in Santa Cruz County, while an elderly man in Yuba City lost his life when a redwood tree fell in his backyard.

As the storm continues its relentless assault, San Diego remains on flood watch, with rainfall expected to reach 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm). Over the past few days, Los Angeles has received an astonishing 10 inches (25 cm) of rain, underscoring the severity of this weather event.

This record-breaking rainfall and its devastating consequences are a reflection of a larger weather pattern that has plagued California. From landslides and mudslides in Los Angeles and San Francisco to an avalanche near Las Vegas, a wide swath of the region has been adversely affected by this unprecedented storm. The struggle to mitigate the damage and protect lives and infrastructure continues as Californians brace themselves for what lies ahead.