SoCal storm leaves behind minor mudflows and tornado damage

The worst of this week's storm has moved on from the Los Angeles area, leaving behind minor tornado damage and light debris flows on mountain roads.

As predicted, rainfall rates peaked between late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, with roughly an inch of rain falling per hour on some spots like the Eaton Fire burn scar. Luckily, there were no catastrophic mudslides.

A small tornado also touched down for two minutes in the Pico Rivera area between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. With wind speeds of 85 mph it was given EF rating of 0, the lowest level on the enhanced Fujita scale. No injuries were reported, but the high winds damaged homes, cars and trees.

Around a foot of snow fell in the mountains.

Scattered showers will continue to move across Southern California over the next 48 hours. Small tornadoes are still a possibility, as are intense, isolated downpours which bring with them a risk of mudslides in recently burned areas.

Precipitation totals

The heaviest precipitation fell across Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties.

These totals are current as of Thursday morning.

48-hour rainfall totals:

• San Marcos Pass (Santa Barbara County): 3.78 inches
• Cogswell Dam (Los Angeles County): 3.58 inches
• Old Man Mountain (Ventura County): 3.46 inches
• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: 2.22 inches
• Burbank: 1.56 inches
• Lower Silverado Canyon (Orange County): 1.46 inches
• Thousand Oaks: 1.39 inches
• Downtown L.A.: 1.19 inches
• Corona Del Mar: 1.18 inches
• Orange County reservoir: .91 inches

24-hour snowfall totals:

• Mountain High: 12 inches
• Crestline: 4 inches
• Wrightwood: 2.5 inches
• Big Bear: 2 inches
• Arrowbear Lake: 1 inch

Another rainstorm is expected early next week.

Evacuations

Those in and around the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin, Bridge and Kenneth fire burn scars in L.A. remain under evacuation warnings until at least 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Evacuation orders also stand for Trabuco Creek, Bell Canyon and Hot Springs Canyon around the Airport Fire burn scar in Orange County, while those in Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon remain under evacuation orders.

The flood watch issued for much of Southern California will remain in place through Thursday afternoon.

Up-to-date evacuation maps:

• L.A. County
• Ventura County
• Orange County

Closures

A member of the California National Guard walks along a checkpoint on Pacific Coast Highway, at Chautauqua Boulevard, minutes before it was shutdown in Santa Monica on March 12, 2025.

(

Genaro Molina

/

Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

)

Mark Pestrella, director of L.A. County Public Works, said Pacific Coast Highway will be closed from Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu to Chautauqua Boulevard in the Pacific Palisades, until further notice.

Because of the PCH closure, bus service on L.A. Metro's 134 line from Malibu to Santa Monica has been halted.

In Orange County, Hot Springs Canyon at Ortega Highway is also closed, as is Trabuco Canyon Road between Rose Canyon Drive and Plano Trabuco near Rancho Santa Margarita.

High surf warnings

Los Angeles and Ventura county beaches, including the Malibu coast, will be under a high surf advisory from 9 a.m. Thursday to 3 p.m. Friday. Waves from 5 to 9 feet are expected.

You should stay away from the water for three days after after a rain event anyway, due to dangerous runoff which often includes high levels of fecal coliform bacteria.

Shelters

A dormitory style shelter has been set up for evacuated Orange County residents at:

• Foothill Ranch Library Program Annex, which is next to the Foothill Ranch Library at 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch.

OC Animal Care can accept dogs, cats and small pets for residents evacuated from their service areas at the following facility:

• 1630 Victory Road, Tustin
  
  • Owners are asked to bring a photo ID, veterinary/vaccination records, special food and medications along with their pets, if possible.

For large animals:

• Orange County Fair Grounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
  
  • Owners are asked to call (714) 820-2830 before they arrive

Understanding National Weather Service warnings

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.
• 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

Advice on driving in the rain:

• Check weather and road conditions all 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 two 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 if it's 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 stations.

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

How we're reporting on this

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.