Homes lost in the Palisades Fire were hit with rain Wednesday, with more on the way.
(
Genaro Molina
/
LA Times via Getty Images
)
Topline:
The brunt of the storm has passed through Southern California after heavy rain snarled traffic, caused debris flows, and sparked warnings about flooding, thunderstorms, wind and hail.
In recently burned areas: Between Thursday afternoon and early Friday, heavy rain is likely to cause debris flows.
Mountain snow: As much as 2 feet of snow could fall, though snow levels will stay above 6,000 feet making impacts in the Grapevine unlikely.
Get prepared: Sign up for emergency alerts, have your car packed up and be ready to leave if evacuation orders come through.
Read on ... for more detail about the storm forecast.
For the most up-to-date information on evacuation orders for your area you can check:
The brunt of the storm has passed through Southern California after heavy rain snarled traffic, caused debris flows and sparked warnings about flooding, thunderstorms, wind and hail.
But officials warned that people should remain cautious overnight, especially around canyons and steeper terrain.
A possible tornado in Oxnard damaged mobile homes and carports, the National Weather Service said. Cars are also getting stuck in mud, trees are down from 40- to 50-mph wind gusts, and water has piled up on Sunset Boulevard.
A member of the Los Angeles Fire Department was swept off the road and into the ocean along with his vehicle when a large debris flow moved through Big Rock Road in Malibu, according to Erik Scott, LAFD public information officer.
"Fortunately, the member was able to exit his vehicle and reach safety with minor injuries," Scott said on social media. "He was transported to a local hospital as a precaution."
Evacuation orders were expanded for some parts of the L.A. County foothill community Sierra Madre and issued for parts of Orange County as rain intensified Thursday.
Laura Aguilar, deputy city manager in Sierra Madre, told LAist's Morning Edition that around 1,000 residents are affected by the order. She said the order is not a precaution — it means it's time to evacuate — as officials expect debris and mud flows from the Eaton Fire burn areas.
" Those areas that are being evacuated are the ones that are most likely affected by the burn scars that were created by the Eaton fire and lower into the foothills that are expecting mud and debris flow," she said.
In Orange County, a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for areas in Trabuco Canyon, including the RC Airport, fire station, campground/park and school; as well as Bell Canyon, including Starr Ranch; and Hot Springs Canyon, including Lazy-W Ranch, due to possible debris flows from the Airport Fire burn area. Evacuation warnings remain in place for Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon.
As of Thursday afternoon, forecasters warned that the heavy rain and strong winds were quickly intensifying over L.A. County. On Mulholland Drive, eight inches of mud in the road near the intersection of Outpost Drive made driving impossible in the late afternoon, the L.A. Fire Department said. Fire crews were on the scene, and the road will remain closed throughout the storm. The homes above the debris flow are stable.
Some Sierra Madre roads were also blocked by mud and debris flows, the Sierra Madre Police Department reported Thursday evening.
The National Weather Service announced that a flood advisory was in effect for all of L.A. County until 10 p.m.
Our storm is rapidly intensifying over #LosAngeles County. Flooding and wind risks are increasing. This is a serious situation through this evening. Please obey advice from local officials. Be safe, stay home, and stay off the roads. Tomorrow will be much better. #cawxpic.twitter.com/GwCwJ8X5B3
A flash flood warning was issued for Altadena, the Franklin Fire burn scar, the Palisades Fire burn scar, as well as parts of L.A., Glendale and Santa Clarita until 8 p.m. Thursday.
Highland, Lake Arrowhead and Crestline were under a flash flood warning until 8:45 p.m. Thursday. A flash flood warning was also issued for Pomona, Pasadena, East L.A., San Antonio Heights, Lytle Creek and Mount Baldy until 9 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning was in place for parts of Santa Clarita, L.A. and Glendale through 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Pomona, Pasadena, El Monte and parts of L.A. were also under a severe thunderstorm warning until 6:30 p.m. Forecasters warned the storm would bring wind gusts up to 70 mph.
As much as 3 inches of rain could be logged in low-lying areas by the time the storm wraps up Friday, while our mountain areas could see as much as 6 inches. Two feet of snow could fall above 6,000 feet locally, and as much as 5 feet of snow is forecast to fall in the Sierra Nevada.
“We haven’t seen any rain like this since last year," said Kristan Lund, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
As of around 7 p.m. Thursday, more than 3.1 inches of rain had fallen on the Eaton Dam; Beverly Hills had seen more than 2.7 inches of rain; and more than 2.8 inches had fallen in downtown L.A., according to the National Weather Service.
Consider continuing to hunker down as flooding on roads and freeways are expected to linger, and more heavy rainfall could make it tough for you to see out of your windshield.
The strongest rain is expected to hit between midday Thursday and early Friday.
(
National Weather Service
)
Prepare for mudslides
The L.A. County Department of Public Works was forecasting that moderate debris flows could impact streets and structures near the following burn areas:
Eaton Fire
Palisades Fire
Franklin Fire
Hughes Fire
Kenneth Fire
Sunset Fire
Lidia Fire
Hurst Fire
Bridge Fire
"We expect an extraordinary amount of debris," said Mark Pestrella, director of Public Works during a press conference early Wednesday. The department has prepositioned concrete barriers, known as K-rails, to try to keep debris in the street and away from homes.
Those who live in and around recently burned areas should be prepared to evacuate.
If you haven't already, you should sign up for emergency alerts (linked below), prepare a go bag, pack up your car and figure out where you'll head if evacuation orders are issued.
"It's possible we get through this rain event without any significant problems, but the potential is there," said Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Oxnard during a news conference Tuesday.
"Given the elevated chances for significant debris flows consisting of raging torrents of rock slides and mudslides that can be damaging and even deadly, now is the time to start getting prepared for these potentially dangerous conditions."
The good news — debris basins that are designed to intercept mudflows in burn areas have been cleaned and fortified, according to Los Angeles County Public Works.
Flood watches will be issued for recent burn scars from midday Thursday to early Friday due to a risk of debris flows.
(
National Weather Service
)
Strong wind gusts could down trees and power lines.
In anticipation of the storm, the L.A. Fire Department deployed resources and the L.A. Department of Water and Power has crews at the ready to respond to power outages.
Although this is the most significant storm to hit this winter, our rainy season has been largely devoid of rain. It pales in comparison with last year's early February storms, which stressed infrastructure and flooded roads. The recently burned areas are the biggest concern.
This storm may be enough to put an end to fire season; however, it's unlikely to alleviate widespread extreme drought conditions that have spread across the region.
Evacuation warnings and orders
L.A. city:Los Angeles Fire Department officials announced Wednesday afternoon that all recent burn scar areas will be under evacuation warnings starting at 7 a.m. Thursday until 2 p.m. They say LAPD officials will also be visiting homes in high-risk areas to issue evacuation orders for specific addresses.
The mandatory evacuation orders included 106 homes in the Palisades Fire burn area, nine in the Sunset Fire area, and four in the Hurst Fire area, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference Thursday morning.
L.A. County: Evacuation orders were expanded for Sierra Madre, impacting more than 600 households.
Orange County: Mandatory evacuation order was in effect for areas in Trabuco Canyon, as well as Bell Canyon and Hot Springs Canyon due to possible debris flows from the Airport Fire burn area.
Malibu schools: The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District said Thursday that the closure of Malibu schools will be extended through Friday. Parents should monitor emails from the school district or check with their campus.
Road closures:
Pacific Coast Highway is closed from Chautauqua Boulevard in Los Angeles to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu until further notice because of heavy flooding and mudslides.
Malibu Canyon Road was closed from Piuma Road to Adamson Flats.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard (Highway 27) was closed between Coast Highway and Grand View Drive.
Trabuco Canyon Road bridge was closed.
The following roads were closed in Malibu except for resident access:
Piuma Road: Cold Canyon Road to Rambla Pacifico Road
Rambla Pacifico Road: Piuma Road to Las Flores Canyon Road
Saddle Peak Road: Stunt Road to Tuna Canyon Road
Schueren Road: Saddle Peak Road to Piuma Road
Tuna Canyon Road: Saddle Peak Road to Coast Highway
Here’s an excerpt from our guide to understanding flood warnings, if any are issued:
Flood advisories are how the NWS begins to raise the alarm. The goal is to give people enough time to take action.
Flood watches are your indicators to get prepared to move.
Aflood warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. When one is issued for your area, you need to get to higher ground immediately.
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is coming or in progress. Flash floods are sudden and violent floods that can start within minutes.
If you're in L.A. County and need sand bags, you can find some at local fire houses.
How we're reporting on this
LAist reporters will provide regular updates on the storm as it moves through. If things get hairy, we'll send reporters into the field to give you real-time updates about conditions on the ground.
This is a developing story. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources (think fire, police, government officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, however, we make mistakes or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.
Gab Chabrán
covers what's happening in food and culture for LAist.
Published May 6, 2026 5:00 AM
The Birria XLB, a limited-edition collab between Paradise Dynasty and Burritos La Palma, available starting May 11.
(
Katrina Frederick
/
Courtesy Paradise Dynasty
)
Topline:
Paradise Dynasty and Burritos La Palma have teamed up on a limited-edition Birria XLB — birria de res folded into a soup dumpling skin.
Why it matters: Two of the defining food obsessions of the past decade in Southern California — birria and XLB — are meeting in one bite, and the collab feels less like a gimmick and more like a natural expression of how L.A.'s Asian and Latino food cultures have always cross-pollinated.
Why now: The Birria XLB drops publicly May 11 at Paradise Dynasty's South Coast Plaza and Americana at Brand locations.
File this under things that could only happen in L.A.
Paradise Dynasty, the Singapore-based chain known for its signature eight-flavor xiao long bao, has teamed up with Burritos La Palma — the SoCal burrito institution whose birria de res recipe traces back over 45 years — to create a limited-edition birria soup dumpling. The Birria XLB will be available starting Monday (May 11) for a limited time at Paradise Dynasty locations.
I've eaten my weight in both soup dumplings and burritos, so naturally, I'm a fan of both.
Paradise Dynasty has been on a steady ascent as a major player in L.A.'s dumpling scene, with locations at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and The Americana at Brand in Glendale.
Meanwhile, Burritos La Palma — known for its simple, savory burritos and finely crafted flour tortillas — has been capturing hearts and stomachs since Alberto Bañuelos opened the first eatery in L.A. in 2012. It’s since grown to several spots across L.A. and Orange County, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2024 for its high-quality, Zacatecan-style handmade flour tortilla burritos at an affordable price.
How the collab came together
So what exactly is a birria soup dumpling? A delicate wrapper, lightly packed with tender birria de res — slow-braised beef stewed in chilies and spices — juicy, savory and gone in one bite.
It all began with a call from Paradise Dynasty, when Jason Kuo, district manager for Paradise Dynasty USA, reached out to Bañuelos, calling it, simply, a perfect match between the two dishes.
Kuo said the idea came straight from the community.
"When we started asking guests and people around us what flavor they would want to see in a soup dumpling, birria kept coming up again and again — it was very clear. If we're going to do birria, it has to be done right. Burritos La Palma was the first name that came to mind."
Bañuelos was "beyond thrilled" to have been approached.
"We come from a small town in Mexico, and to be able to elevate to the level of Paradise Dynasty and that culinary perfection, I can't even really put it into words," he said.
It took months of R&D to get the right consistency. Bañuelos said the process required dialing down the moisture and upping the spice potency and landed on serving a fresh red salsa with thin slivers of serrano peppers alongside — a riff on the black vinegar and pickled ginger traditionally served with soup dumplings.
The Birria XLB's juicy interior is part of what makes it work — the dish is served with a fresh, tomato-based salsa and slivers of serrano pepper in place of the traditional black vinegar and pickled ginger.
(
Katrina Frederick
/
Courtesy Paradise Dynasty
)
How it tastes
I got a chance to try the dumplings ahead of the public launch and was struck by how well the combination worked. The juicy nature of birria is almost turbocharged in dumpling form, its savory, herbaceous flavors fully encapsulated in the thin skin, creating an exceptional texture in every bite. The dish hits even harder when dipped in the light tomato-based salsa — a rush of freshness that cuts through the richness, with a spike of heat from fresh serrano. (Feel free to skip the peppers if spice isn't your thing.)
But what's most impressive is how organic it all feels. This isn't fusion for fusion's sake — it's a natural meeting of two dishes that are deeply embedded in the Southern California diet, each playing to the other's strengths.
It feels like a logical meeting of the minds — birria and soup dumplings have both been part of L.A.'s culinary zeitgeist for the better part of a decade, and it makes sense that these worlds should collide.
When asked whether a collaboration like this could happen anywhere else, Bañuelos was quick: "It has to start in L.A. You just can't compete."
A gated building at Urban Strategies, a facility that holds unaccompanied minor immigrants under contract with the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, in San Benito, Texas.
(
Patricia Lim
/
KUT News
)
Topline:
Nine Democratic House members from California are demanding information about how the Trump administration is treating unaccompanied migrant children who are pregnant and in federal custody.
Why now: They signed a letter last week, along with 39 other House Democrats, to Trump officials expressing their concern that the girls are not receiving adequate medical care or access to abortion.
How we got here: The letter comes in the wake of an investigation by the California and Texas Newsrooms, public media collaboratives in those states. LAist is part of The California Newsroom. The joint investigation found that the federal government is detaining pregnant migrant girls in a single group home in South Texas. Doctors and reproductive-health researchers interviewed for the investigation said prenatal care is severely limited in that region.
Nine Democratic House members from California are demanding information about how the Trump administration is treating unaccompanied migrant children who are pregnant and in federal custody. They’ve signed a letter, along with 39 other House Democrats, to Trump officials expressing their concern that the girls are not receiving adequate medical care or access to abortion.
The joint investigation found that the federal government is detaining pregnant migrant girls in a single group home in South Texas. Doctors and reproductive-health experts interviewed for the investigation said prenatal care is severely limited in that region.
The letter says the detention violates federal regulations because the children are “entitled to the full range of medical care, including reproductive health care.”
Rep. Gil Cisneros, who represents the central San Gabriel Valley, says he worries that pregnant migrants who are apprehended in California will be put at risk if they’re sent to a part of Texas that is short on obstetric care. Of particularly concern: High-risk pregnancies are common among minors.
“If they were in California," he said, "they would be able to have more choices of the type of health care that they would get when it comes to reproductive health care.”
Rep. Judy Chu, who represents the West San Gabriel Valley, wrote in a statement that “this administration is so intent on restricting abortion that it is using immigration detention as a tool to control these girls’ bodies.”
If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.
Mariana Dale
explores and explains the forces that shape how and what kids learn from kindergarten to high school.
Published May 5, 2026 3:40 PM
The Trump administration has announced a Title IX investigation into LAUSD.
(
Genaro Molina
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating how the Los Angeles Unified School District responds to educators accused of sexual misconduct with students.
Why now: The department accuses the district of maintaining a policy that “automatically” reassigns teachers to other schools when they are accused of sexual misconduct with students and cites a 2024 agreement with the teacher’s union.
The district’s policy: A Los Angeles Unified spokesperson wrote in a statement that it’s “not true” that staff being investigated for sexual misconduct are reassigned to other school sites. “‘Reassignment’ typically means an employee is directed to remain at home and away from students and schools during an investigation,” the spokesperson wrote.
LAUSD protocol related to employee misconduct says administrators must remove accused employees from their classroom or worksite whenever there is a risk to the safety of students or staff. The 110-page document also lists several other requirements for allegations related to sexual misconduct, including contacting law enforcement and the agencies that license teachers.
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating how the Los Angeles Unified School District responds to educators accused of sexual misconduct with students.
The department accuses the district of maintaining a policy that “automatically” reassigns teachers to other schools when they are accused of sexual misconduct with students and cites a 2024 agreement with the teachers union.
A Los Angeles Unified spokesperson wrote in a statement that it’s “not true” that staff being investigated for sexual misconduct are reassigned to other school sites.
“‘Reassignment’ typically means an employee is directed to remain at home and away from students and schools during an investigation,” the spokesperson wrote.
United Teachers Los Angeles called the DOE's accusations a “fundamental misunderstanding” of the district’s reassignment policy.
“[Employees] are not reassigned to another classroom or to any other setting where they would interact with students,” read a statement provided by the union. “This policy protects both students and staff and creates conditions for a thorough and appropriate investigation of allegations.”
Kimberly Richey, the assistant secretary for civil rights, wrote in a statement that Title IX requires schools to address claims of sexual misconduct in a “timely manner.”
“It is unconscionable that the district would simply ignore Title IX’s procedural requirements to protect teachers who cause life-changing harm to their kids,” Richey wrote. “The Trump administration will always fight to uphold the law, protect the safety of all students and restore common sense to our schools.”
LAUSD protocol related to employee misconduct says administrators must remove accused employees from their classroom or worksite whenever there is a risk to the safety of students or staff.
The 110-page protocol document also lists several other requirements for allegations related to sexual misconduct, including contacting law enforcement and the agencies that license teachers.
“Los Angeles Unified takes all allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment with the utmost seriousness,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement. “Our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of every student and staff member in our care.” The statement also said the district follows Title IX procedures and continuously reviews its policies, training and reporting systems.
The UTLA settlement outlines several circumstances where an employee can be reassigned, including a law enforcement investigation of misconduct, sexual harassment of a student, behavior toward a student perceived to be motivated by a sexual interest and communicating with a student for non-school-related purposes.
A new California law requires schools to train students and staff to recognize and report misconduct and write new policies on “appropriate behavior.” It also will create a new database of educators credibly accused of abuse.
Adolfo Guzman-Lopez
is an arts and general assignment reporter on LAist's Explore LA team.
Published May 5, 2026 2:48 PM
LA County Library's Summer of Soccer starts now
(
Courtesy LA County Library
)
Topline:
Summer of Soccer programs at the LA County Library are aimed to promote learning, foster community connections and create safe and free spaces during the World Cup tournament.
Limited-edition library card: Summer of Soccer kicked off May 1 with a limited-edition library card, emblazoned with the library logo, the outline of a soccer pitch and a ball hitting the back of a net.
Why it matters: The library is using soccer’s wide appeal to promote learning, build community connections and create safe and free spaces where people can enjoy talking about the sport.
Why now: The library program is meant to overlap with the World Cup, which begins June 11 and ends July 19. The free events are designed to support youth and families during the summer months when school is not in session.
The backstory: The LA County Library serves more than three million residents through its 86 libraries and four Cultural Resource Centers, as well as Bookmobiles and other outreach vehicles.
What's next: See details about the Summer of Soccer programs at this link.
The LA County Library has begun its Summer of Soccer program to bring the excitement of the North American tournament to all Angelenos.
“Soccer has a unique way of bringing people together across cultures and communities,” Skye Patrick, director of the LA County Library, said on the library website.
The program kicked off May 1 with the library system offering limited-edition Summer of Soccer library cards, emblazoned with the library logo, the outline of a soccer pitch and a ball hitting the back of a net.
The new limited-edition Summer of Soccer library cards
(
Courtesy LA County Public Library
)
The cards are available for free for anyone signing up for the first time and for $1 for people who already have an LA County Library card.
From soccer story time to making circuit boards
There’s a whole range of Summer of Soccer events at branch libraries, from May 20 to July 9.
Highlights include a soccer-themed story time for 2- to 5-year-olds at Graham Library, north of Watts at 3:30 p.m. June 4, while at 3 p.m. the same day, the A C Bilbrew Library west of Compton hosts “Makey Makey for Teens,” which will lead youth through the steps to make their own game controllers and test them on a virtual soccer field. This and other programs repeat at other branches.
Soccer has a unique way of bringing people together across cultures and communities.
— Skye Patrick, Director of the L.A. County Library
All Summer of Soccer events are free and are designed to support youth and families during the summer months when school is not in session.
The LA County Library serves more than three million residents through its 86 libraries and four Cultural Resource Centers, as well as Bookmobiles and other outreach vehicles.
