U.S.: Record rainfall makes kills three in California

The storm is caused by an "atmospheric river" effect. Heavy rain and potentially deadly flash flooding are expected to continue throughout Tuesday, according to forecasters.

At least three people have been killed by fallen trees as a severe storm drenches California, causing flooding, mudslides and power outages.

Since the deluge began, firefighters have attended to over 130 flooding incidents and completed multiple rescues. Heavy rain and potentially deadly flash flooding are expected to continue throughout Tuesday, according to forecasters.

The governor declared a state of emergency in eight counties because of the record-breaking rains.

The storm is caused by an "atmospheric river" effect, which occurs when water evaporates into the air and is carried along by the wind, generating lengthy currents that flow in the sky much like rivers do on the ground.

This slow-moving storm is the second atmospheric river to strike California in two weeks. Officials have issued evacuation orders for steep neighborhoods in the state's south, including Los Angeles, where city leaders declared an emergency.

The same storm system delivered significant snow across the region. On Monday, an avalanche struck a ski resort in Lee Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada, but no one was injured.

Mudslides and debris floods were observed in the Los Angeles area. On Sunday, 16 people were forced to flee their homes in the Hollywood Hills after mudslides had ripped structures apart and ruptured gas lines.