LOOK OUT

Killer Storm Strikes Southern California

Winds reaching 80 mph and intense rain that could trigger mudslides.

A powerful storm has struck Southern California, putting the area at risk of floods and landslides. Santa Barbara County experienced winds topping 80 mph and intense rain Saturday morning. A sheriff’s deputy in Ventura County was killed in a car crash, and two others were injured, during a rainstorm. The storm has left at least 43,000 without electricity. Officials in Ventura County issued mandatory evacuation orders in areas impacted by the devastating Woolsey Fire last year. Burnt ground particularly vulnerable to floods and landslides because burnt ground doesn’t absorb water as effectively. Farther north in California, the National Park Service told visitors to Yosemite that there might be road closures, and that they should have tire chains on hand, in the event of heavy snow. Meteorologists have predicted that three storm systems will move over the area this weekend.