Officials in Southern California began issuing evacuation warnings and closing roads as a severe storm began hitting the region, with heavy rain and dangerous floods expected across Los Angeles County on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Relentless rains and strong winds from a series of atmospheric rivers could cause rock and mudslides, flooding and debris flows in the Los Angeles area through Christmas, according to forecasters. A two-day total of five to 12 inches is possible across the region, forecasters said.
A flash flood warning was issued for parts of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties early Wednesday. Rain was falling at a rate of about an inch per hour in some areas, the National Weather Service said around 4 a.m. Pacific time, warning that flooding was expected shortly.
The most intense part of the storm is expected to reach Los Angeles around 9 a.m. Pacific, and the heaviest rain is expected to fall until 4 p.m. across Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties. While meteorologists are hopeful for a brief reprieve Wednesday evening into early Christmas morning, a second burst of heavy rain will follow.
The Weather Prediction Center has placed much of Southern California under a Level 3 out of 4 risk for flash flooding from Wednesday through Thursday. Portions of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties were at highest risk for life-threatening floods and mudslides, including Downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando, San Gabriel, Simi, Santa Clarita and Conejo Valleys.
Several roads have been closed in the region, including a three-and-a-half mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard near areas affected by this year’s wildfires, because of the risk of flooding and debris flow.
Evacuation orders were issued for specific properties that were at higher risk for mud and debris flow, Los Angeles County said. Law enforcement personnel were making door-to-door contact to notify people on those properties.
L.A. County urged residents to register for emergency alerts and issued a reminder to never attempt to cross flooded areas or enter moving water. It also advised staying away from flood control debris basins, channels, facilities and river beds, and said people should keep at least 100 feet away from downed power lines and electrical wires.
Nazaneen Ghaffar and Judson Jones contributed reporting.
Jenny Gross is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news and other topics.
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