LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Los Angeles County got a brief break from the stormy weather Monday morning with light showers, but more rainfall is on tap for the early part of the week that will include heavy downpours and possible thunderstorms.
“We are in the anticipated lull between storms right now with spotty drizzle or showers continuing under varying cloud cover,” said the National Weather Service. “The upcoming cold front and associated showers look at track with it sweeping through most of Southwest California between 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.”
Flood advisories remained in effect Sunday afternoon across Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to the continued threat of minor roadway flooding, as well as additional rockslides or mudslide activity, and a small threat of shallow debris flows in recent burn scars, according to the NWS.
“Due to the abundant rainfall the past couple of days, it will not take as much rainfall to cause additional flooding/rockslides, as well as trees being more easily blown down with any convective bursts,” the NWS said.
All evacuation warnings and orders were lifted this weekend throughout the Los Angeles area after hours of heavy rain pelted the region Saturday, but residents were warned to remain alert for potential debris-related dangers as they travel through storm impacted areas.
Two bands of rain made their way into the region, leading to slick roads overnight and early Saturday. The bulk of the heavy rain had moved on by 2 p.m. Saturday, and forecasters expected most of the area to receive between 3 and 6 inches of rain through the weekend.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said 126 homes were impacted by an evacuation order in the Palisades Fire burn area, and an evacuation center was established at the Stoner Recreation Center, 1835 Stoner Ave., in West Los Angeles.
In Orange County, evacuation warnings were lifted for areas near the Airport Fire burn area, including Trabuco Creek, Hot Springs Canyon and Bell Canyon.
The rain caused a minor rockfall and debris flows to a stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive, according to Caltrans. The highway remained closed, and will reopen after the storms pass and crews have removed all hazards.
In Huntington Beach, Pacific Coast Highway was closed from Warner Avenue to Seapoint Street due to flooding but reopened Sunday, Caltrans reported.
In Buena Park, firefighters rescued a man who was stranded on a ledge above a channel at Beach Boulevard and 11th Street early Sunday.
In Van Nuys, a large tree fell onto a van near Victory Boulevard and Willis Avenue at about 1 a.m. Sunday, crushing the vehicle.
The city of Los Angeles’ Emergency Operations Center was activated this weekend and the Mayor’s Office was coordinating with the Emergency Management Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Public Works and relevant city departments to ensure all personnel were ready to respond as needed to keep residents safe, officials said.
Los Angeles County was offering residents free sandbags for pickup at the Public Works Fleet Maintenance Yard, 252 Mountain View St. in Altadena, and at the Malibu Library parking lot, 23519 W. Civic Center Way. The LAFD was providing free sandbags at fire stations throughout the city, with sand available at some of those locations. A listing of locations and more information is available at lafd.org/news/lafd-provides-sandbags-homeowners-1.
Sandbags were also available at multiple locations in Orange County. The complete list is available at ocfa.org/residents/sandbags.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state pre-deployed emergency response crews in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties to enable faster response to any storm-related issues that develop. He said 274 personnel were being deployed, along with 18 engines, three Urban Search & Rescue companies, six bulldozers, three swiftwater-rescue teams, three helicopters and five dispatchers.
Forecasters urged homeowners to remain prepared for rain by ensuring gutters are cleared and windshield wipers are secure and working. They said people should consider rescheduling outdoor events, and advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded areas, as most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
And as always after a storm, people were advised to avoid swimming in streams and rivers for at least three days after the rain.
Sheriff’s officials urged people to use websites such as Ready.Lacounty.gov to stay up to date on road closures, weather alerts, and emergency notifications.
Forecasters said Wednesday will offer a brief respite from the rain, with another, lighter storm slated to arrive Thursday and possibly linger into Friday. As of Sunday, the forecast for next weekend shows clear skies.
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