Orange County Bears Brunt of Last Night's Rainstorm

A sign alerts traffic to flood conditions on Black Star Canyon Road early Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 in Silverado Canyon, Calif. The latest in a series of powerful storm systems is bearing down on California, pelting mountain areas with heavy rain, snow and high winds, prompting evacuations and leaving thousands without power. (AP Photo/Orange County Register, Mark Rightmire)

Most of last night's heavy rains were centered in Orange County, leaving residents in some areas without power and some evacuated, parts of Laguna Beach's sandy shores washed away, and many roads closed.

In Downtown Laguna Beach, storm water levels rose to several feet, and police have closed numerous streets, and are cautioning "workers in the business district to stay home," according to the OC Register.

Locals describe the water as "rivers" coming into their town, according to LA Now, and those rivers wrecked havoc on the shore of the area "wiping out much of the main beach downtown and washing away the sand beneath the popular boardwalk."

Up in the hills above Laguna Beach, at least 60 residents called the authorities about rock and mudslides, says CBS2.

In Silverado and Modjeska Canyons "several residents are being asked to leave their homes as mud and debris continues to slide down the area, and flooding creeks have blocked several roads." An OC Sheriff's Department Lieutenant says the roads up there are "completely impassable."

There are several road closures in Orange County, and "Metrolink train tracks between Oceanside and San Juan Capistrano were closed at about 6 a.m. because of a landslide." Road closures include:
- 241 toll road and Santiago Canyon Road at the 241.
- Laguna Canyon Road between Santiago Road and Forest Avenue.
- Ortega Highway between La Pata and the Riverside County line.