The last of several storms that have rolled through Southern California this week will be settling in Wednesday afternoon and continuing through Thursday.
Rainfall is expected to increase through midday, then become heavier in the evening and overnight, according to the National Weather Service. The storm could drop up to 3 inches of rain in many parts of Southern California -- and up to 4 ½ inches in the Santa Monica Mountains. Peak rainfall is expected to arrive on Thursday between 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
A flood advisory has been issued for northwestern Ventura County, as well as the Thomas and Whitter burn areas.
With the rain comes the threat of flooding, mudslides and debris flows, so regional emergency officials are closely monitoring recent wildfire burn zones and taking precautions.
The City of #Malibu Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is staffed 24 hours per day monitoring the rain storms through the week. To report any storm hazards, mud slides, or request information, please call City Hall at 310-456-2489. Updates will be posted to https://t.co/OyDKyWWgMa pic.twitter.com/fNGMDs0gdY
— City of Malibu (@CityMalibu) January 16, 2019
Caltrans issued this reminder to drive slowly, turn on your headlights and more when driving in the rain.
We can’t stress this enough, 🌧 does not cause crashes, how you drive in the 🌧 does. Turn your lights on. SLOW DOWN, slow down, slow down. Leave EXTRA SPACE between your 🚗 & the 🚙 ahead of you. Drive in the middle lanes, outside lanes tend to flood.NEVER🚗through flood waters
— CHP PIO - LA County (@CHPsouthern) November 29, 2018
Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for several Malibu-area neighborhoods:
Voluntary evacuations are in effect in Burbank at Country Club Drive above Via Montana, and are expected to stay in effect until Thursday at 5:00 p.m. All Malibu schools will be closed on Wednesday and will remain closed on Thursday. Santa Monica schools remain open.
High surf is expected at San Diego and Orange County beaches on Thursday and Friday, possibly getting up to 15 feet south of Encinitas.
NBC4 reports a 19-car pile-up on the southbound 15 near Cajon Pass. All injuries were minor, but the freeway is closed completely in that direction as the wreck is cleared up. Ranchero Road is being used as a detour.
Mud and rocks have spilled onto Route 23 (Decker Road), and the stretch is open to resdidents only, at least until after tonight's storm. A fog advisory is in effect near the Cajon Junction on State Route 138, and high surf up to 11 feet in and around L.A. is expected.
California Department of Transportation officials said State Route 23 remains closed from Pacific Coast Highway to upper Mulholland Highway due to the storm.
Authorities also warned of the "potentially significant risk of flooding and mudflow" in areas that burned in the 2017 Creek Fire. Residents in Kagel Canyon, Lopez Canyon and Little Tujunga Canyon were urged to be ready to evacuate "at a moment's notice," though no orders have yet been issued. Free sandbags are available at several L.A. County fire stations.
As a series of winter storms move through the area residents in the Creek Fire burn area, particularly Kagel Canyon, Lopez Canyon and Little Tujunga Canyon are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for potential evacuations should mud and debris flows develop. #LArain pic.twitter.com/8i58zWwfZs
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) January 16, 2019
In Burbank, voluntary evacuations were announced for several neighborhoods (they can be found here). Sandbags are being offered for free to businesses and residents at the Public Works Yard, while supplies last.
Residents are encouraged to follow lacounty.gov/larain for updates, register at Alert LA Countyfor notifications, and follow L.A. County on Facebook and Twitter for ongoing information about the storms.
In Ventura County, some evacuation orders were downgraded to voluntary, but mandatory orders are in effect for the county's South Coast area as well as Matilija, Wheeler Springs and North Fork along Oso Road.
For ongoing updates throughout Wednesday, including lists of evacuation centers, road closures and more, check the following sites:
UPDATES:
11:10 a.m.: This article was updated with information about the 19-car pile-up on the 15 freeway.
1:57 p.m.: This article was updated with information about high surf, a fog advisory and mud and rock spillage onto Route 23.
5:31 p.m.: This article was updated with information about Malibu school closures.
6:16 p.m.: This article was updated with information about high surf advisories and peak rainfall expectations.
This article was originally published on Jan. 16 at 8:15 a.m.
Jessica P. Ogilvie contributed to this report.
