An atmospheric river was pummeling Southern California with heavy rain on Thursday, prompting evacuations and school closures as officials warned about life-threatening flooding and mudslides in areas charred by the wildfires that broke out across the region last month.

Evacuation orders and warnings have gone into effect for burn scar areas across Southern California as heavy rainfall threatens dangerous debris flows.

After months of dry weather heading into 2025, Southern California is bracing for its third winter storm event in less than a month, and this week’s system is expected to be the strongest