(NewsNation) — As millions of people set out to travel for the upcoming holidays, heavy rains and storms headed for Southern California could become a headache for some.

The storm threatening Southern California is expected to be life-threatening, with extreme winds and up to eight to nine inches of rain in just one day. The downpour is expected in a matter of hours.

Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect for residents in burn scar areas of the Eaton and Palisades Fires, where sandbagging and preps have been underway. The torrential rain could trigger flash flooding, mudslides and debris flows, with the worst of the storm hitting in the next 48 hours over Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day.

“Everyone is worried about the rain because there’s nothing to absorb the rain,” Melanie Calvert, a resident affected by the Eaton Fire, said. “The soil is gone.”

In Northern California, severe flooding has already claimed the life of at least one person, a 74-year-old man who became trapped in rising waters while driving.

California is not alone in getting bad weather during the holidays. More snow is expected to blanket the Northeast, along with extreme cold. On Monday, a Mexican Navy plane crashed into Galveston Bay in Texas as it flew through dense fog, killing five people on board.

High winds may also be a factor in travel issues. A Delta flight in New York recently had to abort landing due to severe crosswinds at the Rochester Airport.