Forecasters measured 4.52 inches of rain at the Santa Barbara Airport on Christmas, beating the previous record of 2.17 inches set in 1955.

Another wave of rain was hitting the Los Angeles area on Friday, adding to the record-setting precipitation over Christmas.

More than 41 million Americans across California, Nevada and Arizona are under flood watches on Wednesday amid a rare, high risk for excessive rainfall and flooding.

Another wave of rain soaked parts of Southern California early Friday morning with more wet weather in the forecast. Flood watches were in effect for parts of the region, where already soaked hillsides prone to slides are picking up additional moisture from the storm fueled by an atmospheric river.

California is facing another day of heavy rain and risks of flash floods, prompting Los Angeles County to extend evacuation orders as officials warn about the dangers for road travel in this busy holiday period.

Officials in Los Angeles and surrounding counties warned that the giant holiday storm could trigger "widespread flash flooding."

Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as heavy rain, gusty winds and flooding prompted evacuations across multiple counties including Los Angeles. The National Weather Service (NWS) also issued warnings for winter storms,

Heavy rain dropped visibility for drivers early Wednesday in Orange County, California, as a powerful storm with the potential for life-threatening flash flooding moved onshore.