Officials have urged people to reconsider their holiday plans in view of the storm. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

A winter storm swept across California, with heavy rains and gusty winds bringing mudslides and debris flows that has led to some water rescues and evacuation orders.

An intense winter storm drenched Southern California today, triggering flash floods and debris flows that closed roadways and forced residents to evacuate in parts of the Los Angeles region.

Forecasters said Southern California could see its wettest Christmas in years and warned about flash flooding and mudslides. Areas scorched by January's wildfires were under evacuation warnings, and Los Angeles County officials said Tuesday they were going door to door to about 380 especially vulnerable homes to order residents to evacuate.

A powerful storm hits Southern California, causing flash floods, mudslides, and evacuation warnings amid hazardous travel conditions for the holidays.