Debris flows brought on by the strongest atmospheric river of the season swept a car off a southern California highway and into the ocean and left roads submerged in sludge. While the heavy rains from the

A powerful storm is bearing down on California as an atmospheric river drops through the state. While the fast-moving system will affect nearly the entire state on Thursday, of high concern is Southern California as intense rains fall on the heels of devastating wildfires — downpours that could trigger damaging floods and debris flows.

Officials are grappling with the aftermath of the atmospheric river which caused mudslides and floods, especially in areas impacted by wildfires.

Three days of drenching rain, flooding and mudslides have forced evacuations and road closures, including a portion of the Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu and Pacific Palisades. The Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles,

Parts of Pacific Coast Highway remained closed due to heavy flooding and mudslides in Southern California, according to state officials.

The strongest atmospheric river of the season left roads submerged in sludge and created conditions for mudslides on wildfire-scarred hillsides.