RECAP: SoCal Hit by Christmas Eve Storm, Flash Flooding and Evacuations Reported

A powerful Christmas Eve storm fueled by an atmospheric river brought torrential rain to Southern California on Wednesday, December 24, triggering widespread flash flooding, debris flows, and mudslide risks. Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders were issued in several areas, including Wrightwood, where Highway 2 was washed out and fire crews assisted affected homes. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, and residents were urged to avoid travel.

US: Atmospheric River Triggers Flash Flooding Across Southern California 8

Torrential rains from a powerful atmospheric river triggered widespread flash flooding across Southern California on Wednesday, December 24, prompting evacuation orders, travel warnings, and a state of emergency declaration by Governor Gavin Newsom. The Christmas Eve storm brought rainfall rates of more than an inch per hour in some areas, caused widespread flooding in Los Angeles County, and raised the risk of mudslides in wildfire-scarred foothills.

UK: Major Fire Erupts at Recycling Warehouse in Rushden

A major fire broke out at a recycling warehouse in Rushden, Northamptonshire, on Friday, May 23. Nearby residents were advised to avoid the area and stay indoors with windows closed.

US: Small Plane Crashes Into Homes in Simi Valley, California

A small plane crashed into a residential area of Simi Valley, California, just north of Los Angeles, on Saturday afternoon, May 3. The Vans RV-10 aircraft crashed into East Meadow Street, hitting two houses, which caught fire. The pilot of the airplane died. No injuries were reported to people on the ground.

US: Hughes Fire Breaks Out Near Lake Castaic, Prompting Evacuation Of Thousands 6

The Hughes Fire broke out on Wednesday, January 22, near Lake Castaic, north of Santa Clarita. The blaze rapidly spread across Ventura and Los Angeles counties, putting more than 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings. This video shows a massive plume of smoke rising from the Hughes Fire, as seen from Simi Valley.

US: Hughes Fire Breaks Out Near Lake Castaic, Prompting Evacuation Of Thousands 7

The Hughes Fire broke out on Wednesday, January 22, near Lake Castaic, north of Santa Clarita. The blaze rapidly spread across Ventura and Los Angeles counties, putting more than 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings. This video shows a massive plume of smoke rising from the Hughes Fire, as seen from Simi Valley.

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

SIMI VALLEY, United States - A contractor of the Environmental Protection Agency uses gamma-scanning equipment mounted on an all-terrain cart and connected to a GPS system and laptop to scan part of the rugged site that was formerly home to Santa Susana Field Laboratory in the suburbs of Los Angeles. An experimental nuclear reactor at the lab experienced a partial meltdown in July 1957.

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

SIMI VALLEY, United States - Contractors of the Environmental Protection Agency collect soil samples at the former site of Santa Susana Field Laboratory in the suburbs of Los Angeles on June 20, 2011. An experimental nuclear reactor at the lab that was active from the late 1940s to early 1980s experienced a partial meltdown in July 1959. Analysis of the soil will show how much radioactive material remains.

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

SIMI VALLEY, United States - A contractor of the Environmental Protection Agency uses gamma-scanning equipment mounted on an all-terrain cart and connected to a GPS system and laptop to scan part of the rugged site that was formerly home to Santa Susana Field Laboratory in the suburbs of Los Angeles. An experimental nuclear reactor at the lab experienced a partial meltdown in July 1957. (Kyodo)

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

SIMI VALLEY, United States - This undated photo shows experimental reactor facilities at Santa Susana Field Laboratory where a sodium reactor experienced a partial meltdown in early July of 1959. The buildings have long since been removed, but cesium-137 has been detected in more than 20 small spots nearby in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Kyodo)

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

Cleanup continues 52 yrs after partial meltdown in Los Angeles

SIMI VALLEY, United States - Contractors of the Environmental Protection Agency collect soil samples at the former site of Santa Susana Field Laboratory in the suburbs of Los Angeles on June 20, 2011. An experimental nuclear reactor at the lab that was active from the late 1940s to early 1980s experienced a partial meltdown in July 1959. Analysis of the soil will show how much radioactive material remains. (Kyodo)

U.S. defense chief Carter to inspect vessel in Japan

U.S. defense chief Carter to inspect vessel in Japan

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter makes a speech in Simi Valley, California, on Dec. 3, 2016. Carter is scheduled to inspect the 19,500-ton helicopter-carrier Izumo at a U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan, on Dec. 6, according to a senior Department of Defense official. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo