LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOOD WARNING extended to 2:00 AM PST in Oxnard, Ventura, and Port Hueneme on Christmas
An atmospheric river of historic proportions has triggered a life-threatening emergency across Ventura County, with the National Weather Service warning of imminent flash flooding for nearly 355,000 residents.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an immediate Flash Flood Warning for Oxnard, San Buenaventura (Ventura), and Port Hueneme, effective until 2:00 AM PST, Friday, December 26. Officials are describing the situation as a life-threatening emergency as a powerful atmospheric river continues to drench an already super-saturated Southern California.
Flash Flood Warning continues for Oxnard CA, San Buenaventura CA and Port Hueneme CA until 2:00 AM PST pic.twitter.com/m3v8Pnyoub
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 26, 2025
Immediate Danger to Residents
The warning covers a population of approximately 354,839 people, including 91 schools and 5 hospitals within the impact zone. Residents in Oak View, Casitas Springs, Saticoy, and El Rio are urged to move to higher ground immediately.
The NWS advises:
- Move to higher ground immediately if you are in a low-lying area.
- Avoid all travel. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.
- Stay away from creeks and streams, which can rise and become deadly swift-water hazards without warning.
A Deadly Christmas Storm
This cataclysmic atmospheric river has already been linked to at least three deaths across the region. In San Diego, a man was killed by a falling 75-foot tree, while a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy died in a weather-related crash.
Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties to accelerate disaster response. This holiday has officially become the wettest Christmas for Southern California since 1971, with some foothill areas receiving up to 8 inches of rain in 24 hours.
Widespread Chaos and Evacuations
The storm has paralyzed infrastructure and forced thousands from their homes:
- Evacuations: Mandatory orders are in effect for Wrightwood and the Riverwood neighborhood due to a partial release of the Tujunga Dam. Approximately 130 homes in Pacific Palisades were also evacuated due to mudslide risks.
- Road Closures: Interstate 5 is closed in Sun Valley due to flooding, while Highway 1 and Angeles Crest Highway remain blocked by rockslides and debris.
- Power Outages: More than 100,000 customers statewide are in the dark, with significant clusters of outages in Los Angeles and Pasadena.
- Tornado Activity: Earlier this evening, a rare tornado warning was issued for Alhambra and Pasadena as severe thunderstorms moved through the basin.
What’s Next
Conditions are not expected to improve until Friday afternoon. Because the ground is completely saturated, any additional rainfall tonight will result in immediate runoff, significantly increasing the risk of new mudslides and debris flows.
California Today will continue to provide live updates as this emergency develops. Stay tuned to local emergency broadcasts and follow@NWSLosAngelesfor real-time alerts.
