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.

WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. (AP) — A strong storm system that brought relentless winds, rain and snowfall to California this week was expected to ease Friday, but there was still a risk of high surf along the coast, flash flooding near Los Angeles and avalanches in the Sierra Nevada.

A California storm on Christmas Eve caused flooding and mudslides, and prompted evacuations, power outages, and travel warnings as heavy rains hit the region.

Chain controls have been in effect on both Highway 50 and Interstate 80 in the Sierra since Wednesday and remain up as of Friday morning. Drivers were urged to avoid traveling up the mountain for the time being. Travel on 80 was also closed to all semi-trucks and trailers for the time being between Applegate and the Nevada state line.

A powerful storm carrying a strong atmospheric river laid siege to California over the last several days — setting records in parts of the state — with evacuations orders still ongoing Thursday because of the risk of life-threatening flooding and debris flows.

Articles and videos about Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency regarding California storms on KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco.

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 the state with relentless rains, heavy winds and mountain snow through Friday.

After record flooding in Washington state, then a widespread western windstorm, more Pacific storms are targeting different parts of the West through Christmas. Here's the latest forecast.