Storms during Christmas week battered towns across California, leaving some homes half-filled with mud, cracking highways and burying cars under debris. The National Weather Service warned of more heavy rain as a series of atmospheric rivers moved through the region. A photo gallery curated by AP editors documents the damage and local impacts. Officials urged residents to heed warnings and avoid flooded or debris-covered areas.
Photos: Christmas-Week Atmospheric Rivers Bury California Homes in Mud, Crack Highways
Mud covers the inside of a property after a series of storms on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
WRIGHTWOOD, California — Storms that swept across California during Christmas week left neighborhoods and roadways heavily damaged, with some homes half-filled with mud and debris, highways buckled and cars buried under mud flows.
Emergency crews and residents worked to assess damage and clear debris as the National Weather Service warned of continued heavy rain from a series of atmospheric rivers moving through the region. Officials urged caution on damaged roads and advised residents to avoid flooded or mud-choked areas.
Impacts documented: Homes inundated with mud, cracked and damaged highways, and numerous vehicles trapped or buried by debris. The storms affected multiple towns, prompting cleanup efforts and, in some places, temporary road closures.
Photo Gallery
This photo gallery, curated by AP photo editors, captures the scale of the flooding and mudslides, showing the human and infrastructure impacts across affected communities.
National Weather Service: Expect heavy rain to continue as atmospheric rivers pass through the region — stay alert for local warnings and avoid travel in impacted areas.
For the latest updates, check local emergency bulletins and weather advisories. If you are in an affected area, follow guidance from local officials and emergency services.
Davey Schneider recovers items from his storm damaged home on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Davey Schneider recovers items from his storm-damaged home on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Workers work to restore power after severe storms, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Michelle Meyers inspects her property, buried in mud after a series of storms, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A car is buried in mud after a series of storms Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A ski lift stands at Mountain High Resort, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Part of California State Route 138 washes away from flooding Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, outside of Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A car sits buried in mud after flooding Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, in Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Floodwaters cover a yard and fields following heavy rains, on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Redding, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Dekoda Cruz works to clear a drain following heavy rains on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Redding, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
