Dozens of People, Dogs Pulled from California River Amid Deadly Storm

Over two dozen river rescues were made in Riverside, California, on Monday as the state grapples with its second round of atmospheric river storms in a week.

The latest onslaught began tearing through Southern California on Sunday, just three days after the region was pummeled by torrential rains. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for several counties over the weekend, and at least three people have died due to the storm after getting struck by toppling trees.

The Los Angeles River on Monday is pictured swollen by storm runoff as a powerful long-duration atmospheric river storm, the second in less than a week, continued to hammer Southern California. Several dozen water rescues…

Mario Tama/Getty Images

According to local reports, rescue crews at the Riverside Fire Department on Monday pulled 11 people and 18 dogs from the bottom of the Santa Ana River after the victims got trapped by raging waters. Videos and images shared on social media showed rescue crews pulling people out of harm’s way using cranes while stationed on a bridge above the waterway.

In one video posted to X, formerly Twitter, by KTLA, a woman is shown being pulled out of the river near the Van Buren Boulevard Bridge. According to the report, the woman was believed to be rescued from a homeless encampment under the bridge and was taken to a hospital to be examined. Officials did not report any injuries among those rescued.

RIVER RESCUE: Fire crews in Riverside rushed to the swollen Santa Ana River to rescue a woman who became stranded by the rising storm water. The woman was hoisted to safety near the Van Buren Boulevard Bridge, which locals say is the site of a homeless encampment. Live updates:… pic.twitter.com/MnUV2rgjLb

— KTLA (@KTLA) February 5, 2024

Multiple canines were also saved on Monday. KESQ reported that the rescued dogs were taken by the Riverside County Department of Animal Services to a local animal shelter. Dave Toussaint, photographer and retired firefighter, shared photos on his X account of rescue crews transferring people and dogs who were trapped by the roaring waters to safety on inflated rafts.

From @rivcafire of the ongoing rescues at Van Buren x/Santa Ana River.

Ward 3 Fierro / Van Buren Bridge X Santa Ana River / Water Rescue / RIV Incident #24-004330
FINAL UPDATE:
Three adults and two dogs were rescued from an island. There are no injuries to civilians or fire… pic.twitter.com/Hv7zcDroEr

— Dave Toussaint (@engineco16) February 5, 2024

“One clear message is that we need to be out of the river bottom at this time,” Brian Guzzetta, battalion chief of the Riverside Fire Department, told KTTV. “The rain is going to continue for not only today but in the days to come, and we need to get out of the river bottom, so that we don’t have to have these individuals need to be rescued.”

Newsweek on Monday night reached out to the Riverside Fire Department via email for more information.

Rescue crews were also dispatched to the Los Angeles River after receiving reports that a child was spotted floating in the river. No one was found during that search operation, according to KTTV, Fox News’ Los Angeles affiliate.

Sixteen people were also rescued by the Los Angeles Fire Department on Monday after a mudslide inflicted “significant damage” to townhomes in a northwest Los Angeles neighborhood, according to NBC News’ Marlene Lenthang. In total, fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley said, officials responded to more than 130 flood calls and 49 mud and debris flows on Monday. The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory, in effect through Tuesday for much of the Los Angeles area.