Deadly Floodwaters Overwhelm Northern California
Heavy rain unleashed dangerous flooding across parts of California Sunday night, inundating neighborhoods and roadways, stranding motorists, knocking out power and prompting urgent warnings from emergency officials.
Redding Mayor Mike Littau confirmed one person has died amid the flooding, as first responders carried out multiple water rescues across the city.
Redding appears to be among the hardest-hit areas in Northern California, as parts of the region recorded up to 10 inches of rain in just 24 hours.
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Officials reported about 40 flooding incidents and 17 rockslides or landslides during that time. Flood watches remain in effect for millions of people statewide as additional rounds of rain threaten further flooding.
Mayor Littau said local police and fire crews have been conducting water rescues throughout the storm, while Public Works and Redding Electric Utility crews work to clear roads and restore power.
The Redding Police Department reported numerous calls from stranded motorists who attempted to drive through flooded streets, urging drivers to avoid flooded roadways and follow detours as conditions change rapidly.
The storm’s impacts are being felt beyond Redding. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has deployed its Swiftwater Rescue Team to assist residents in flooded homes, while Placer County has issued evacuation warnings due to rising water levels along the South Yuba River and is pre-staging emergency resources ahead of more rain.
Forecasters say rainfall may briefly ease Monday, but a stronger storm system is expected Tuesday night through Christmas Eve, bringing rain, wind and renewed flood threats statewide.
Another round of storms is forecast from Christmas Day through Friday before drier conditions arrive next weekend.
The Truckee fire department used a ladder truck to reach the occupants of a house along the South Yuba River after the river swelled because of the rain on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.
(Truckee Fire/Facebook)
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