California braced for the arrival of a massive storm on Wednesday, evacuating residents in areas at risk of mudslides and debris flows.

A powerful atmospheric river storm is pounding parts of California with torrential rain, strong winds and snow and leading to issues from San Francisco to Los Angeles, including areas recently impacted by deadly wildfires.

A powerful storm dropping drenching rain on flood-prone Southern California is raising concern among forecasters that it could produce a dangerous, widespread outbreak of tornadoes, damaging winds and fires along with a blizzard as it crosses the entire United States in the coming days.