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Evacuations, Mudslides, Rain And Traffic This SoCal Afternoon

The rain -- which is expected to last for days -- has led to a mudslide in Malibu, mandatory evacuations in areas affected by the Holy Fire and mandatory evacuations in the areas below the Sherpa/Whittier and Thomas Fire burn areas. A flood advisory was issued at 1:19 p.m. for East Central Ventura County and Western L.A. County.
I-5 was closed in both directions in the Gorman/Lebec area and southbound on Grapevine Road due to snow, however CHP is allowing cars through in six to seven vehicle groups as of 3:13 p.m.
The right lane of PCH is closed at Chataqua Boulevard, and Decker Road is closed in both directions from PCH to upper Muholland Highway. A flash flood watch has been issued for areas affected by the recent fires.
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the recent burn areas of the including the #WoolseyFire, #HillFire, #ThomasFire and #WhittierFire burn areas for Tuesday afternoon and evening! #SoCal #CAwx
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 14, 2019
For ongoing updates throughout Monday night and into Tuesday morning, here are some sites to check:
- National Weather Service Los Angeles
- Los Angeles County
- Caltrans District 7
- LA Beaches & Harbors
- Caltrans HQ
- City of Malibu
PCH is closed at West Broad Beach Road going westbound, and Harvester Road is closed near Clover Heights Avenue in Malibu. The road from San Pedro's bluffs to the beach at White Point/Royal Palms beach is closed, and will remain so throughout the week.
A Flood Advisory has been issued for the east central #Ventura County and western #LA County until 3:00pm!! Rainfall rates between 0.25 and 0.50 inches per hour were reported! #SoCal #CAwx
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 14, 2019
I-5 CLOSURE: All lanes CLOSED in both directions on I-5 in Gorman/Lebec area due to heavy snow, accidents and vehicles stopped, NB lanes closed at Parker Road. SB lanes closed at Grapevine Road. Avoid the area. Duration unknown. pic.twitter.com/v5VBGQ5hg5
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 14, 2019
The National Weather Service reports that the rain and snow is expected to stop temporarily on Monday night, then pick back up Tuesday afternoon.
Here's a look at the total rainfall amounts that we're forecasting for the rest of today. It looks like the rain and snow will stop overnight leaving Tuesday morning dry, before we gear up for another round Tuesday afternoon. 🌧 #cawx pic.twitter.com/JkyMhuwmhC
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) January 14, 2019
Just before 8 a.m., a westbound land of PCH was reported closed at Leo Carrillo and Cal Fire released a list of vulnerable zones in Riverside County, and the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning beginning at noon today and lasting through the evening for the following areas:
- Orange County
- Riverside County mountains and valleys
- San Bernardino County mountains and valleys
- Riverside County valleys
- The Inland Empire
- San Diego County coastal areas, mountains and valleys
- Santa Ana mountains and foothills
L.A. County officials have told residents in and around Woolsey Fire burn zone to prepare for possible evacuation.
No 1 westbound lane of PCH closed at Leo Carrillo due to mudslide. Caltrans is on scene clearing https://t.co/aeoTJQMmKF
— City of Malibu (@CityMalibu) January 14, 2019
MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for residents in the following zones: Amorose, Alberhill, Glen Ivy A, Glen Ivy B, Glen Eden, Grace, Horsethief A, Laguna A, Maitri, McVicker A, Rice and Withrow A pic.twitter.com/havU05gsm7
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) January 14, 2019
PCH is now OPEN in both directions from Broad Beach Road to Las Posas Road after closing this morning due to heavy mudflow.
In other Holy Fire areas, a voluntary evacuation notice has been issued, and sandbags have been put in place to keep water from flooding Trabuco Canyon Road.
Sandbags doing their job to keep excess water from crossing #TrabucoCanyon Road, downstream from #HolyFire burn area. We’re continuing to monitor during current #FlashFloodWatch @OCFA_PIO @OCGovCA pic.twitter.com/0d1Pb3t218
— OC Public Works (@OCpublicworks) January 14, 2019
Attention: a Flash Flood Watch –Evacuation Warning (voluntary) has been issued this afternoon (Jan 14) for the Holy Fire burn areas and surrounding locations due to potential flooding and debris flows, with heaviest rainfall expected this afternoon through 7pm. pic.twitter.com/fIKbF2ax9z
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) January 14, 2019
County officials also offer these tips for staying safe during the inclement weather if you're living in areas affected by the recent fires...
#LARain tips for residents in recent burn areas:
— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) January 14, 2019
• Leave gates open to avoid being trapped by mud
• If there is no time to evacuate, seek high ground
• Do not attempt to cross flooded areas. *Never* enter moving water
• Keep 7-10 days' supply of food,🥤,💊 for family & pets
...and Caltrans offers a reminder to put chains on your car if you're headed into the mountains.
Before you head to the Southern California mountains, be sure you have chains. https://t.co/1C2vkfgIIF
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 14, 2019
County officials also issued a reminder to "Avoid contact with ocean water around storm drains, creeks & rivers" until 9:00 a.m. on Thursday because of debris.
Meanwhile, we're already seeing news about the storms picked up by CNN; a welcome change from that time when some national media weirdly sort of ignored the fires that ravaged our state.
EXPECTED RAINFALL
Latest expected rainfall totals thru late tonight 4 AM Tuesday morning. L.A. to S. SBA County 0.50" to 1.5". Locally to 2.5" across S facing slopes. Otherwise, SLO and northern SBA County should see 0.25" to 0.50" . Locally to 1.00" NW SLO County foothills. #cawx #LArain #socal pic.twitter.com/Ybuh8T3XIR
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 14, 2019
Southern California needs the rain -- most of L.A. County remains in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Last year, L.A. got 32 percent of what's normal.
Meanwhile, various tweeters are offering up their own roadside perspective. ABC7's John Gregory has video of a rock slide in Malibu Canyon, the National Weather Service has images of snow on I-5, and KCBS/KCAL reporter Christy Fajardo uploaded video of backed up storm drains in the Valley.
A rock slide in Malibu Canyon shows just how dangerous conditions are right now. #wildweather #stormtrack @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/fOrBxLgz21
— John Gregory (@abc7johngregory) January 14, 2019
A rock slide in Malibu Canyon shows just how dangerous conditions are right now. #wildweather #stormtrack @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/fOrBxLgz21
— John Gregory (@abc7johngregory) January 14, 2019
A rock slide in Malibu Canyon shows just how dangerous conditions are right now. #wildweather #stormtrack @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/fOrBxLgz21
— John Gregory (@abc7johngregory) January 14, 2019
UPDATES:
9:05 a.m.: This article was updated with a statement about vigilance for Woolsey Fire burn area residents.
11:20 a.m.: This article was updated with tips for those living in burn areas, information about the flash flood warning and a link to CNN's report on the storms.
12:45 p.m.: This article was updated with tweets about roadside conditions, a reminder to put chains on your car if you're headed to the mountains and a forecast for Tuesday.
1:49 p.m.: This article was updated with information about road closures at the Grapevine and flood advisories in Ventura and L.A. Counties.
This article was originally published at 8:33 a.m.
Lisa Brenner, Ryan Fonseca and Jessica P. Ogilvie contributed to this post.
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