A strong atmospheric river is pummeling Southern California, bringing a widespread risk of floods and prompting evacuations.

A catastrophic river has started to hit the state of California, which will lead to days of heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and potentially feet of snow as early as next week.

The heaviest rain came on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, which prompted several flash flood warnings. Adam Roser, a meteorologist with the weather service, told SFGATE that Saturday’s rain broke numerous records set during a Nov. 15, 1965, storm system.

The girl's father attempted to save her as she was pulled by large waves near Garrapata State Park on Friday, according to authorities. He was rescued and later died.

A final storm in a wet stretch will deliver rain and mountain snow to California this week before a welcome break in the weather arrives for the week of Thanksgiving.

Unrelenting rain is expected to persist in the Bay Area as two back-to-back storm systems close in on the region this week, accompanied by up to 60 mph wind gusts, possible thunderstorms, landslides and flooding.

Heavy rain could cause dangerous flooding in California. Mudslides, debris and slick roadways were all a concern. Snow in the Eastern Sierras could reach up to a foot. Morgan Chesky reports on more rain in the forecast.

Around 23 million people across California are covered by flood notices Friday as Los Angeles braces for what could be a month's worth of rain in a day.

A powerful atmospheric river battered California over the weekend of November 13–17, 2025, unleashing historic rainfall that shattered decades-old records and exposed the state's vulnerability to intensifying extreme weather.