Major storm expected to wallop SoCal with heavy rain, wind, possible lightning and hail

For the most up-to-date information on the storm for your area you can check:

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

A "winter-like" storm is expected to bring significant rain, potentially damaging winds and maybe even brief tornadoes and hail. Conditions have some experts warning that Southern California is about to experience the most significant October storm in more than a decade.

That has the National Weather Service warning Southern Californians to get ready now, as the peak storm hours are supposed to start at 5 p.m. Monday and last well into Tuesday. Flash flood watches are rolling out across Southern California over the next day.

Those watches start:

• Santa Barbara and Sal Luis Obispo counties: Monday 8 p.m. through Tuesday 3 p.m.
• Ventura County: Tuesday 1 a.m. through 10 a.m.
• L.A. County: Tuesday 5 a.m. through 3 p.m.

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Courtesy National Weather Service

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Forecasters say the coasts and valleys could see up to an 1½ of rain. The mountains and foothills could see up to 3 inches of rain. The National Weather Service advises you to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible, especially if you hear thunder, see lightning, or experience sudden wind shifts."

In addition:

• Avoid parking near tall trees
• Be ready for sudden power loss
• Avoid the roads as much as possible
• If you have to drive, allow extra time

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state has resources ready to go to respond to potential mudslides.

Prepare for mudslides

The L.A. County Department of Public Works is forecasting that isolated debris and mudflows are possible that could impact streets and structures near the following 11 burn areas:

• Eaton Fire (Altadena, Pasadena)
• Palisades Fire (Palisades area)
• Hawk Fire (Acton)
• Canyon Fire (Hasley Canyon and Val Verde communities)
• Franklin Fire (Malibu)
• Hughes Fire (Castaic Lake)
• Kenneth Fire (West Hills)
• Sunset Fire (Hollywood Hills)
• Lidia Fire (Acton)
• Hurst Fire (Sylmar)
• Bridge Fire ( San Gabriel River at East Fork area in LA County, Communities of Wrightwood, Big Pines, and Mt. Baldy Village)

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
• Santa Barbara County: SB Sheriff Notifications
• San Bernardino County: Emergency alerts

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

• 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 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 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.