Heavy Holiday Storm Hits San Bernardino County
Strong Storm Causes Widespread Damage Across Southern California
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. — A powerful storm swept through Southern California over the Christmas holiday, triggering destructive mud and debris flows in several mountain and high desert communities. Search-and-rescue operations continued overnight as officials worked to assist affected residents.
The storm led to significant flooding in Wrightwood, where water, mud, and debris surged through the streets, sweeping away vehicles and inundating homes. Local authorities issued evacuation orders and instructed residents to shelter in place as conditions deteriorated and access to the area became increasingly restricted.
"In the town center, it looked like a river," said resident Rupert Fletcher. "It didn’t even look like a street anymore. It was completely covered in mud, debris, and rocks."
San Bernardino County Fire officials reported that more than 120 personnel were deployed to aid in evacuations and manage ongoing safety concerns. They confirmed a minor injury involving a child, who was transported to a local hospital as a precaution.
As of Wednesday night, some families remained without power while crews assessed the damage. Cellphone footage from residents depicted streets buried in mud and homes surrounded by floodwater. The full extent of the damage is still unknown, as many roads leading in and out of the affected areas are blocked.
"It’s been tough for even rescuers to get in there," stated Chris Prater from San Bernardino County Fire. "Roads in and out have been blocked by mud and debris flows."
Residents noted that the flooding this time appeared to be more severe than in previous storms. "We’ve seen flooding before," said Fletcher. "But we didn’t see whole cars underwater and houses being destroyed by so much water coming down. It’s pretty scary."
To support displaced residents, a new evacuation shelter has been set up at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville, located at 14800 Seventh St. The shelter is equipped to accommodate both evacuees and their pets.
Once immediate safety concerns are addressed, officials plan to shift focus to property preservation efforts. This includes damming and diverting water where possible and salvaging property. Fire crews will continue to patrol affected areas to monitor conditions.
Further complicating the situation, forecasters warn of additional rain expected through Christmas, heightening the risk of further flooding and debris flows, particularly in burn-scar areas.
All evacuation and shelter-in-place orders remain in effect as officials continue to instruct residents to stay informed through the county’s Telephone Emergency Notification System.
