A freeway that usually stays busy in Los Angeles was forced to close down on Christmas eve as heavy rains, and flash flood and tornado warnings rocked Southern California.

Officials in Los Angeles and surrounding counties warned that a "very dangerous" holiday storm could trigger "widespread flash flooding."

A tornado, flash flood and several storm warnings were active across Ventura and Los Angeles counties on Wednesday

Forecasters said heavy rain was expected to drench much of Southern California through the holidays, and officials warned the storm could be deadly.

The California Post has hired Los Angeles Times sports columnist Dylan Hernandez and Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris, both writers announced Tuesday, as the New York Post’s West Coast offshoot prepares to launch next month.

Widespread Flash Flood Warnings were issued across the Los Angeles metro area and other parts of Southern California Wednesday, as a powerful storm slammed millions preparing for Christmas Eve with blinding rain.