“Sky River” Storms Slam LA: Traffic Crashes Surge Across the County

A powerful atmospheric river storm recently pounded Los Angeles County, delivering record-breaking rainfall and dangerous driving conditions. Downtown Los Angeles recorded 2.57 inches of rain in a single weekend. It was the highest November total since at least 1985, according to the LA Times.  

Roads flooded quickly, freeways backed up within hours, and emergency responders were overwhelmed with weather-related crash calls. Here’s how it all went down. 

What Is a “Sky River”?

Also known as an atmospheric river, a sky river is a long, concentrated band of moisture stretching thousands of miles across the Pacific. These systems act like a conveyor belt of water in the sky, carrying more moisture than the Mississippi River at its mouth. When one stalls over Southern California, it can unload a dangerous amount of rainfall in a short window. 

Why LA Is Especially Vulnerable to Storm-Related Road Hazards

Los Angeles wasn’t built for rain. Much of the region is paved, sloped, and densely populated, leading to extremely fast runoff. When heavy rain arrives: 

• Water moves downhill rapidly from the mountains into the basin. 

• Concrete streets and freeways offer very little absorption. 

• Burn-scar areas shed mud, ash, and rocks directly onto roadways. 

• The city’s bowl-like geography traps water in low-lying corridors. 

Even moderate rainfall can overwhelm drains. An atmospheric river can turn intersections and freeways hazardous within minutes. 

Why Did This Storm Trigger So Many Car Accidents?

Several weather-related factors combined to create severe risk: 

• Slick surfaces: The first heavy rain loosens oil buildup on dry pavement, reducing traction almost instantly. 

• Poor visibility: Heavy downpours, spray from other vehicles, and gusty winds make it harder to see hazards. 

• Debris flows: Hillside runoff, mud, and rockfall created sudden obstacles across canyon roads and highways. 

• Driver inexperience: Many Southern California drivers simply aren’t accustomed to driving in true storm conditions and fail to adjust speed or distance. 

Together, these hazards turned routine commutes into high-risk situations. 

How Much Did Crash Rates Increase During the Storm?

While full storm data is still being compiled, early reports show the scale of the impact: 

• On a comparable heavy-rain day earlier this year, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) recorded 820 crash service calls in one afternoon, more than double the normal dry-day average of about 376. 

• This weekend’s rainfall nearly doubled typical November totals, meaning L.A. roadways experienced conditions usually associated with major winter storms, not fall drizzle. 

These patterns strongly suggest a significant uptick during the most recent sky river event. 

Why Storm Surges Overwhelm First Responders

When crash volume spikes this sharply, emergency services simply can’t keep pace. On heavy-rain days, CHP, local police, and fire departments often have fewer units available to respond to each collision. As a result, drivers involved in minor or non-injury crashes may wait longer for help or be advised to exchange information and move out of traffic on their own. Unfortunately, this leads many people to rush through the process or skip essential details entirely, which can cause major problems when filing a claim later. 

If you’re ever in a storm-related crash and help is delayed, make sure you collect the following critical information from the other driver before leaving the scene: 

• Full name and contact information

• Driver’s license number

• License plate number

• Vehicle make, model, color, and VIN (if accessible)

• Insurance company name and policy number

• Photos of both vehicles and any visible damage

• Photos of road conditions, debris, standing water, or hazards

• Location, time, and weather conditions at the moment of impact

• Any witness names and contact information

Gathering this info may get you wet in a storm, but it can make the difference between a smooth insurance process and a denied claim. 

You’ve Got the Other Driver’s Information, Now What?

1. Get medical care: some injuries (whiplash, back strain, internal trauma) appear hours or days later. 
2. Document the scene: photos, videos, road conditions, weather changes, vehicle damage, and injuries. 
3. File a police and insurance report as soon as possible. 
4. Contact a car accident lawyer, especially if slick roads, commercial vehicles, poor drainage, or serious injuries are involved. 
5. Save dash-cam footage and phone videos immediately; this evidence often gets lost or overwritten quickly. 

Why You Should Contact J&Y Law After a Storm Crash

Storms like this show how quickly a normal drive can turn dangerous in Southern California. At J&Y Law, we have decades of experience handling weather-related crashes, dangerous road-design cases, and incidents involving hazardous conditions. We’ve helped thousands of clients and maintain a 98% success rate. 

If you were injured during the recent storm, don’t wait. Call (877) 735-7035 for a free, no-obligation consultation. 

Stay safe out there. Slow down, increase your following distance, and give yourself extra time during storms. No destination is worth your life.