Flash flooding and mudslide risks continue in Northern California and will rise in Southern California through Christmas Day as heavy snow blocks Sierra Nevada roads.

A woman was swept away by a large wave at a North Coast beach on Monday afternoon during a fierce winter storm, officials said. It happened at a beach at MacKerricher State Park about 3 miles north of Fort Bragg, where the woman in her 70s was knocked off a rock, the Mendocinco County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Severe weather will continue throughout the holiday week. Here are flood and evacuation warnings as well as information about chain controls.

Delays are already anticipated as travelers make their way to their holiday destinations. Some air travelers are arriving at airports earlier than usual to avoid disruptions caused by the storm. Hope Morgan, who is traveling home for the holidays, said she arrived hours early for her domestic flight to reduce the risk of delays.

Caltrans will close a 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive due to expected heavy rainstorms

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The atmospheric river will hit our region Tuesday night through Christmas Eve morning with a second pulse on Christmas Day

Millions in California are facing severe weather on Tuesday as a strong atmospheric river pummels the state days before Christmas.

After basking in dry, mild weather for several weeks, the tide is turning for California, with an onslaught of rain, snow and wind expected over Christmas week as a series of atmospheric rivers unleash a firehose of moisture on the Golden State.

A powerful Pineapple Express storm could end up delivering a wet, white and potentially wild Christmas to California, with the possibility of snow in the Sierra and plenty of rainfall across the Southland.

The parade of Pacific storms is on the move and will focus farther south over much of California beginning during the week of Christmas. Rounds of heavy rain will lead to flooding as snow piles up in the Sierra Nevada.

California officials and weather forecasters urged holiday travelers to avoid the roads on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ahead of a series of powerful winter storms that threatened to slam California with relentless rains,