The Brief

Southern Californians saw a break in the weather Sunday, ahead of more showers expected Monday through Wednesday.

"Scattered to isolated showers will persist through late tonight across the area," according to a National Weather Service at about 5 p.m. Sunday. And there's no relief in sight, with two more storm systems en route, bringing wintery conditions more than a month ahead of the official change of season.

First, a "cooler storm system" will bring rain from Sunday night through Monday, an estimated 1 to 2 inches of additional rain is expected in most areas. Less intense rainfall from that storm is expected through Wednesday.

Next up: Another warmer and fast-moving storm should hit Thursday and last into Friday. The National Weather Service cautioned that forecast could change, and it's unclear how much rainfall is anticipated.

The five-day rainfall totals for the region already are far above average for this time of year, with some mountain areas in Santa Barbara topping 10 inches of rain. All that rain has led the National Weather service to warn Southern Californians to be alert to changing conditions, debris flows and possible flooding.

"We're on the tail end of the storm here," said Robbie Monroe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service based in Oxnard. "[We''ll] continue to see some moderate and mostly heavy rain showers, with some flooding out there, especially roadway type flooding."

Monroe cautioned: "Since we've had so much rainfall already, it doesn't take much in the way of additional rainfall to cause some more significant issues."

What we've seen so far

Rain comes down on the Palisades Fire zone on Saturday. Burn scar areas are of high concern as Southern California is pummeled by a series of storms.

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Ethan Swope

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AP

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Neighbors stand beyond a toppled Coast Live Oak tree on Saturday in Altadena. Concern about damage from the storm have been high in areas recently burned.

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Mario Tama

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Getty Images

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Rocks and mud were reported in the road above the Palisades Fire burn scar at Mulholland Highway and Stunt Road. More than 50 trees have been knocked down by high winds across the city of L.A., while a 1-foot flash flood was reported in Culver City between the 405 Freeway and Pico Boulevard. Flooding also hit Compton and Camarillo, where rainfall caused Conejo Creek to spill into nearby agricultural fields.

"As you go off west into Ventura County, we're seeing those [rain] totals really creep up fast here," Tod Hall, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said Saturday morning. "We have even reports of the highest, 6.28 inches, in our mountains."

A little after 10 a.m., a debris flow was reported across northbound Highway 101 in La Conchita. The area, which suffered a deadly landslide in 2005, was under an evacuation advisory from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Rocks and debris were also reported near Soledad Canyon in Santa Clarita.

Burn scars remain a major concern.

As for fire season? We’ll have to get back to you on that one. It’s going to depend on this storm's rainfall totals. Typically, the NWS in Oxnard looks for a widespread 3 to 4 inches of rainfall across the area before it puts a bow on fire season. We could be there by the end of the weekend.

Rainfall totals

The average amount of rainfall for downtown L.A. in November is 1.23 inches, making these downpours surprising so early in the season.

By 4 a.m. Sunday morning, a significant amount of rain had fallen throughout Southern California over the last five days, with Santa Barbara and Ventura counties hardest hit. Here’s a snapshot of rainfall during that period:

• KTYD Radio Towers (Santa Barbara County): 10.34 inches
• Santa Barbara Botanical Garden: 7.97 inches
• Ojai: 5.48 inches
• Porter Ranch: 4.74 inches
• Downtown Los Angeles: 2.57 inches
• LAX: 3.11 inches

The National Weather Service is reporting the following three-day totals for Orange County:

• Fullerton Airport: 3.58 inches
• Anaheim Hills: 3.15 inches
• Holy Jim Canyon (Airport Fire burn scar): 2.86 inches

As of Saturday afternoon the following rain totals were reported for recently burned areas of high concern:

• Palisades Fire burn scar: 2.62 inches
• Downtown Los Angeles: 1.64 inches
• Eaton Wash Dam (Eaton Fire burn scar): 2.99 inches

Evacuations and closures

Evacuation warnings were issued for the Kenneth, Palisades, Eaton and Canyon fire burn scars in L.A. County. Those orders were lifted as of 6 p.m. Saturday, according to L.A. County's emergency website.

On Friday, authorities had gone door-to-door at those properties to tell people to evacuate, according to officials. The county is providing updates on its emergency website.

Voluntary evacuations were also in effect in parts of Orange County. Those orders were lifted as of 10 p.m. Saturday.

In Ventura County, evacuation warnings were also issued for the Mountain Fire burn area and for mountain areas near Ojai. As of Saturday evening, those were also lifted. Check Ventura County's emergency webpage for more.

In extreme weather, residents should be prepared to evacuate, particularly when rainfall rates exceed the debris flow threshold of a half-inch per hour. If and when evacuation orders are issued, you'll be able to find them here:

• Los Angeles County
• Ventura County
• Santa Barbara County
• Orange County

Take storms seriously

The Los Angeles River, seen in Atwater Village on Friday. Expect heavier rain to arrive later Friday or early Saturday.

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Lucy Copp

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LAist

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There are things you can do to give yourself the best chance of receiving urgent messages, such as evacuation orders, during an emergency.

One of the most important is to sign up for emergency text messaging services in your city or county. That’s one of the main ways emergency responders communicate with large numbers of people.

There’s Alert L.A. County, for example. But just 1.6 million people here are signed up — out of about 7.8 million adults. If as an Angeleno you do nothing else to prepare today, sign up for Alert L.A. County.

You should also be aware of the X (formerly Twitter) accounts of your local agencies, as that’s often where they post updates.

Here's a guide to how to stay alert throughout Southern California — in rainy season, fire season or any season.

Understanding National Weather Service terms

Here’s an excerpt from our guide to understanding flood alerts:

• 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.
• A flood 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.

Read more: Flash flood warnings? Watches? Here’s what you need to know

Tips for driving in the rain

• Check weather and road conditions along your planned route.
• Slow down.
• Keep a wider-than-usual distance between your vehicle and the one in front.
• Don't drive through standing water — as little as 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and 2 feet can carry away SUVs and trucks.
• Make sure tires are fully inflated.
• Check windshield wiper blades and replace if necessary.

Read more: What you should do if you end up driving in a flooded area

Downed tree, power line or flooded road?

Dial 911 in an emergency.

However, if you need to report a flooded road or a downed tree, you can call the following non-emergency numbers:

• L.A. city: Dial 311 for a flooded road or downed tree. Call (800) DIAL-DWP if you see a downed power line.
• L.A. County: (800) 675-HELP
• Ventura County: (805) 384-1500
• Orange County: (714) 955-0200 or visit here.

If you're in L.A. County and need sand bags, you can find some at local fire houses.

Staying safe when the winds are high

• Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
• Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh. Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they may pose a fire hazard.
• If you’re in a vehicle with a fallen power line on it, stay in the vehicle and remain calm until help arrives. It is OK to use your cellphone to call 911. If you must leave the vehicle, exit away from downed power lines and jump from the vehicle, landing with both feet together. You must not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Then proceed away from the vehicle by shuffling and not picking up your feet until you are several yards away. 
• Water and electricity don’t mix. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Do not step in or enter any water that a downed power line may be touching.
• Do not use any equipment indoors that is designed for outdoor heating or cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
• If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using a heavy-duty extension cord. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.
• Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of ice inside to help keep food cold. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage. 
• Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is safe.

Sign up for emergency alerts

• L.A. City: Notify L.A.
• L.A. County: Ready L.A. County
• Ventura County: Ready Ventura County
• Orange County: AlertOC
• Riverside County: AlertRivCo
• San Bernardino County

How we're reporting on this

LAist reporters, producers and editors are talking to meteorologists, as well as monitoring National Weather Service forecasts and government alerts.

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.

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium. 

“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.

Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.

More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. 

“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”

Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”

Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.

Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.

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J.W. Hendricks

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In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers. 

“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.

The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants. 

In June, the team came under further scrutiny when rumors swirled online that federal immigration agents were using the stadium’s parking, which immigration authorities later denied in statements posted on social media accounts.

The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.

When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a  “slap in the face.” 

“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.

“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”

The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place. 

Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.

“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.

A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.

Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.

Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.

“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.

But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.

Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.

California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.

Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What can small businesses do? 

Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.

Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.

“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.

She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.

“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.

Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.

What’s next 

After READ Books posted about their situation on social media, commenters chimed in to express their outrage and love for the little shop.

While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.

Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.

Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.

By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.

When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.

“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.

“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”

Topline:

Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.

Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.

Near unanimous vote: L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.

Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.

How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.

Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.