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By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
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Residents in Southern California have been forced to evacuate their homes amid heavy rainfall.
Why It Matters
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in California have already been warning of the impacts associated with the storm this week, particularly for Southern California, where burn scars from recent wildfires are at a significant risk of debris flows with the heavy rain.
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Impacts are also expected in Central California, with meteorologists at the NWS office for the Bay Area naming rain, wind and floods as the major hazards affecting the area.
What To Know
A powerful storm fueled by an atmospheric river is drenching California, triggering evacuation orders and flood warnings across multiple counties. The NWS predicts up to 3 inches of rain in coastal and valley areas of Southern California, including the Los Angeles basin, while mountainous regions could see up to 6 inches. The day with the heaviest rainfall is predicted to be Thursday into the evening, the NWS says.
A flood watch will also go into effect on Thursday near previous fire locations due to "the risk of debris flows and flash flooding in and around the recent burn areas," according to the NWS.
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More than 35,000 people in California are without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us.
Amid the heavy rain, evacuation warnings are in effect across Los Angeles County in Palisades, Mandeville Canyon, Sunset, Eaton, and Hurst burn scar areas until 2 p.m. Friday due to the high risk for a life-threatening debris flow. A Los Angeles Fire Department member sustained minor injuries Thursday after his vehicle was swept into the ocean by a large debris flow in Malibu, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) spokesperson Erik Scott said on social media. The member managed to escape and was transported to a hospital as a precaution, Scott added.
Orange County officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for Trabuco, Bell, and Hot Springs Canyons due to the risk of debris flows near the Airport Fire burn scar, while areas near Long and Modjeska Canyons remain under evacuation warnings.
In Ventura County, the Sheriff's Emergency Services department has issued evacuation warnings for residents near the Mountain Fire burn area, effective until 8 a.m. Friday. Officials warned of "a remote possibility" of peak rainfall rates "near or above .75 inches an hour for some parts of the Mountain Fire Burn Area, including South Mountain."
San Bernardino County has also issued evacuation warnings in the community of Highland near the Line Fire burn scar, which were upgraded to mandatory evacuation orders on Thursday.
The NWS has issued a flash flood watch for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Thursday night, particularly in burn scar areas where heavy rainfall could trigger mud and debris flows. However, flood alerts extend beyond these areas, covering much of the state as torrential rain threatens urban areas and roads with flash flooding. Law enforcement reported multiple rock and mudslides Thursday in Malibu and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
To prepare for the storm, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services has positioned resources across 14 counties, from Sonoma in Northern California to San Diego at the southern border. While Northern California, including the Bay Area, is also experiencing intense rainfall, officials do not expect it to cause as many issues as in the south.
Preparations in Los Angeles County include cleaning debris basins, installing concrete barriers and placing sandbags in fire zones to protect storm drains and filter debris. Search-and-rescue teams, deputies and helicopters are on standby to respond if needed.
What People Are Saying
Lisa Phillips, a meteorologist with the Weather Service, told The New York Times: "It's looking like we're going to be seeing the highest amount of rain that we've had in a single storm so far this season."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said: "If you reside in a home where you need to evacuate, the LAPD has knocked on your door and left a door hangar. So individuals have been contacted if they need to evacuate."
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said: "Storms can bring sudden and severe conditions that make staying back home extremely risky. Do not take that chance."
What Happens Next
Weather warnings are in place until Friday, when the storm is expected to come to an end. The weekend is expected to be warmer and dry.
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