SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that a state of emergency has been declared in several California counties due to heavy storms, including San Diego.
The rainfall and strong winds heighten the risk of flooding and landslides, especially in Southern California areas recently affected by wildfires due to saturated soil.
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Shasta counties have also been declared under emergency.
For San Diego County, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from 4 a.m. Wednesday through 1 a.m. Thursday, and a wind advisory is also in effect from 3 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve with gusts expected to reach 45 mph.
Gov. Newsom pre-deployed emergency response resources across California, including 55 fire engines, 10 swiftwater rescue teams, three helicopters and other additional emergency response services.
“California is acting early and decisively to do all we can to get ahead of dangerous winter storms,” Gov. Newsom said via a press release. “The state has pre-positioned resources, activated emergency authorities, and we are working closely with local partners to protect communities and keep Californians safe.”
According to the press release, the proclamation allows for the rapid mobilization of state resources and support for local governments under the California Disaster Assistance Act, as well as the deployment of the California National Guard if needed.
You can read the full proclamation here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.