17 Dead, Boy, 5, Missing as Major Atmospheric River Sweeps Across California

A man wades through a flooded street in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2023. Nic Coury/AP Photo

A major atmospheric river that struck California has destroyed homes and killed 17 people, while a five-year-old boy is missing, according to officials.

The adverse weather event that began on Monday was the latest in a number of storms that began in December and has prompted evacuation orders and school closures amid flash flooding, strong winds, mudslides, and road closures.