Powerful storm batters southern California

A powerful winter storm has hit Southern California, bringing relentless rain, strong winds and mountain snow to parts of the state.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles County as well as Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Shasta counties.

Forecasters in the region say this could be the wettest Christmas in years and have warned of flash flooding, mudslides and debris flows in areas still recovering from last January’s wildfires.

At least one person has died in an “apparently weather-related crash” amid heavy rain in Sacramento County, according to the California Highway Patrol.