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Downtown Los Angeles is facing its most significant weather threat of the year as a powerful atmospheric river moves through Southern California today, Wednesday, December 24, 2025. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the DTLA area, effective through Friday, as rainfall totals are projected to reach between 4 and 8 inches—nearly triple the historical average for the entire month of December.

The storm, described as a “Pineapple Express,” brought heavy lashing rain to the Historic Core and South Park early Wednesday morning. With rainfall rates potentially exceeding one inch per hour, city officials have warned of life-threatening flash flooding and debris flows. In neighboring areas like Sun Valley, several vehicles have already been reported stranded in rising waters.

Mayor Karen Bass has urged all Angelenos to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. For those in DTLA, the primary concerns remain urban flooding on Broadway and Spring Street, as well as potential rockslides near canyon access points. Emergency teams have been pre-deployed throughout the district to monitor saturated ground conditions.