Forecasters measured 4.52 inches of rain at the Santa Barbara Airport on Christmas, beating the previous record of 2.17 inches set in 1955.

A strong storm system that brought relentless winds, rain and snowfall to California this week was expected to ease Friday but there was still a risk of more mudslides and flooding, forecasters said.

WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. -- A strong storm system that brought relentless winds, rain and snowfall to California this week was expected to ease Friday, but there was still a risk of high surf along the coast, flash flooding near Los Angeles and avalanches in the Sierra Nevada.

More than 122 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles for Christmas and New Year's holidays this year.

The potential for flooding remains high because parts of the ground remain heavily saturated. Weather officials warn that rainfall will quickly turn into runoff.

The the region's latest atmospheric storm dumped 6 inches of rain in the Los Angeles area with up to 18 inches of rain in the mountains.

Gov. Gavin Newsom deployed 55 fire engines and rescue crews across the state during the storms and his declaration allows counties to request federal aid.

A California storm on Christmas Eve caused flooding and mudslides, and prompted evacuations, power outages, and travel warnings as heavy rains hit the region.