Storm arrives as Southland braces for possible floods, flows, slides

Rain began to fall Wednesday throughout Southern California, as a heavier system is expected to douse the region by late Thursday, raising fears of flooding, mudslides and debris flows, particularly in the recent wildfire burn areas.

Officials said evacuation orders were a possibility. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna asked residents to “keep your safety in mind” when evacuation orders are issued.

“They help to protect you and your loved ones from potential danger,” he said. “Storms can bring sudden and severe conditions that make staying back home extremely risky.”

For the last few days LA County and city public works crews have been emptying debris basins, clearing storm drains and distributing sandbags to residents.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for most of LA County in effect Thursday morning through Thursday evening. Forecasters said floods and debris flows are possible, “with the greatest risk in or near the Eaton, Palisades/Franklin and Bridge fire burn scars.”

The NWS also issued a flood watch for Thursday morning through Thursday night for the bulk of Orange County. Evacuation warnings will be in effect at 8 a.m. Thursday for several areas near the Airport Fire burn scar.

The warnings for voluntary evacuation will be for Trabuco Canyon, Hot Springs Canyon, Bell Canyon, Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon. Residents in those areas were “strongly encouraged” to evacuate by 8 a.m. Thursday, according to county officials.

O’Neill Regional Park and campgrounds in Trabuco Canyon will be closed Thursday.

A shelter will be established at the Foothill Ranch Library Program Annex, 27002 Cabriole Way, for residents evacuating the area.

According to the NWS, the storm system that could last until Saturday is likely to be “the biggest precipitation producer so far this season.”

While about a quarter-inch of rain is expected Wednesday, roughly 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected in most coastal and valley areas, with 3 to 6 inches anticipated in the foothills and mountains after the brunt of the storm.

Sheriff Robert Luna said evacuation warnings will likely be issued sometime Wednesday morning, possibly followed by evacuation orders based on how the storm develops Thursday.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works was providing free sandbags at the La Costa Post Office, 21229 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, for people in the Palisades Fire area. For the Eaton Fire area, free sandbags are at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., and Victory Park, 2575 Paloma St. in Pasadena.

A list of where sandbags are available is at lacounty.pw/sandbags.

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