Southern California storms turn a wildfire-scarred home into a 'nightmare before Christmas'
Heavy storms this week have caused severe flooding and mudslides in Southern California, particularly in areas scarred by past wildfires. One of the worst-hit homes belonged to Misty Cheng, a 49-year-old accountant from Wrightwood, whose property was overwhelmed by water, glass, and debris. The damage came as Los Angeles County extended evacuation orders for burn zones until Friday afternoon.
Cheng's hillside home sits below the 2024 Bridge Fire burn scar, making it especially vulnerable to mudflows. On Wednesday, tons of water, rock, and mud surged through her property while she was away. A neighbor later described the scene behind her sliding glass doors as resembling an aquarium's glass wall—water and debris pressed against the house.
Cheng had asked her neighbour to open doors if the force of the mud and water broke through. Though the sliding glass doors held, a garage wall collapsed under the pressure. Much of the mud remained trapped inside her home after the floodwaters receded.
The storm system weakened by Thursday, but risks of further flooding and mudslides persisted. Mountain areas, including Wrightwood, received up to ten inches of rain this week, worsening conditions in fire-damaged zones. Cheng later called the ordeal the 'nightmare before Christmas' as she surveyed the destruction.
Evacuation orders for Los Angeles County burn areas remain in place until at least Friday at 1 p.m. The storm has left behind significant damage, with homes like Cheng's facing costly repairs. Officials continue to monitor the threat of additional mudslides in vulnerable regions.
