4 dead in catastrophic Christmas flooding in California; heavy storm hits East Coast

Four people died in California after major storms swept through the state this week, causing days of rain and flooding over the Christmas holiday — while a storm forecast to dump around a half-foot of snow has arrived in New York City

Four people died in California after major storms swept through the state this week, causing days of rain and flooding over the Christmas holiday — while a storm forecast to dump around a half-foot of snow has arrived in New York City.

While the "atmospheric river" that sent flooding rain over California was winding down Friday, parts of the Northeast got around 7 inches of snow by that evening and more was possible.

In California, a man was found dead Friday inside a sedan that was partially submerged in mud in Lancaster, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

On Christmas Eve, Sacramento County sheriff's deputy James Caravallo died in a single-vehicle crash on his way to work on at a correctional center, the sheriff's office said. NBC affiliate KCRA of Sacramento reported roads were wet and officials believe the crash was weather-related.

In San Diego, Roberto Ruiz died Wednesday after a large tree branch fell on him, causing him to go into cardiac arrest, NBC San Diego reported, citing San Diego Fire-Rescue.