L.A.-area storm

Another deluge. Climate scientists warned us at least 20 years ago that global warming would cause increased severe weather, including heavier precipitation. It was the choice of most people in our country to ignore the problem.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40791897/ns/weather/

updated 1 hour 9 minutes ago 2010-12-24T00:01:02

LOS ANGELES — As damage estimates ranging from $17 million in one neighborhood to $60 million in a farm area started to roll in, many victims of the California flooding and mudslides faced the prospect of not being able to spend Christmas at home.

The storm's push across the West left a muddy mess across Southern California and the threat of avalanches in Nevada, where Clark County officials urged residents of Mount Charleston, near Las Vegas, to leave after snow slides near two mountain hamlets.

The inland region of Southern California east of Los Angeles was emerging as among the hardest-hit areas, especially San Bernardino County, where a sea of mud destroyed five homes and damaged 70 in the community of Highland.

People were literally chased from their homes by walls of mud and water in Highland, leaving behind dwellings strung with holiday lights.

They returned Thursday to find some homes with Christmas presents under the tree, inundated with mud several feet deep.

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