A powerful storm dropping drenching rain on flood-prone Southern California is raising concern among forecasters that it could produce a dangerous, widespread outbreak of tornadoes, damaging winds and fires along with a blizzard as it crosses the entire United States in the coming days.

The storm, which forecasters said could produce tornadoes, is expected to strengthen Friday and move towards the central US.

Southern California, which was scorched by wildfires in January, was hit by more extreme weather. A rare tornado touched down in Pico Rivera, which is in the L.A. area. Meanwhile, in Riverside County,

Three individuals have been charged with fraudulently seeking FEMA relief funds by falsely claiming their properties were damaged by the recent California wildfires that left 29 dead, DOJ announced Wednesday.

A Lakewood, a Paramount and a Texas resident face charges for allegedly filing false claims with two illegally receiving wildfire-disaster funds designed for those who lost homes and other property in the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires in January, federal authorities said on Wednesday, March 12.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally told reporters three individuals are charged with allegedly making false claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The beloved feline was feared dead for two months after the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles left her family's home in ashes. But her owner, 82-year-old Katherine Kiefer, held out some hope.

A California woman who lost her home in the devastating firestorm that engulfed the Palisades experienced a tearful reunion over the weekend with her beloved cat, lost in the charred remains of the neighborhood for some two months.