Between the last days of Dec. 2025 and the first days of Jan. 2026, there have been massive amounts of rain throughout southern California, but especially in Ventura County (VC). This rainfall has helped California recover from persistent droughts. However, flooding and landslides have also occurred in some areas leaving residents worried.

“Over 100 reports of flash flooding came in from [California],” global weather forecasting site The Weather Channel, said.

Some of those most affected areas for flash flooding in VC have been the areas surrounding the coast. Rainfall was measured to have reached an average of 3.39 inches for Dec. 2025 and around 1.91 to 3.61 inches for the current state of Jan. 2026.

On the bright side, droughts have been subdued due to the high levels of hydration. As Southern California is an area prone to droughts, the rainfall was essential in hydrating the flora in the community and in subsiding the effects of the warm climate.

However, a concerning effect of the rain is the increased risk of landslides and the distressing pits of rainfall that had been left behind on the roads, leaving cars stranded into pits of water. In some areas, individuals have had to be cautious of landslide risks.

“Residents are having [worries] over flooding…[and] landslides. The city is a [burn scar],” Sara Welch, reporting for the burn scar areas, said to news channel KTLA 5.

The rainfall has caused both positive and negative effects on Southern California, with one of the positive effects being the long awaited rain and negative effects being the flooding and landslide risks associated with the massive amounts of rainfall, especially in cities where there have been burn areas. These diverse impacts have affected the community in immense ways.

Overall, these persistent effects of the heavy amounts of rainfall will subside further ahead in the year. With the current situation, families are recovering from the flooding and the damages left behind.