A storm system tore through the Southland on Tuesday, breaking daily records and leaving behind a wake of damage in communities across the region.
The cats and dogs rainfall was historic, according to the National Weather Service.
Check out the updated list of rainfall records that were set across Southwest California yesterday. Spoiler Alert, Downtown LA broke a record set in 1888!https://t.co/lvBK3i4B0R#cawx #SoCal #LARain #CArain
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 15, 2021
Rain Totals
The San Fernando Valley was also doused; 4.5 inches of rain was reported in Woodland Hills, and Calabasas had 3 inches of rain reported before noon. Some LA County mountain areas reported 5 to 6 inches of rain while other, higher elevation areas reported dustings of snow by the evening.
Emergency Response
The deluge forced mandatory evacuations orders in the Bond Fire burn scar area in Orange County. A flash flood warning was issued for Modjeska, Williams, and Silverado canyons thanks to a rate of rainfall between half an inch and three-quarters of an inch an hour. The warning expired by 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Mudslides ripped through Silverado Canyon and forced Orange County Fire Authority emergency personnel to rescue some residents cut off by the flow of debris.
#OCFA is currently on scene of multiple mud slides in Silverado Canyon. Firefighters have rescued trapped residents. No injuries at this time. Media staging will be at Library of the Canyons off Santiago Canyon Road. pic.twitter.com/jL4bOssVCS
— OCFA PIO (@OCFireAuthority) December 14, 2021
The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue team was also busy, starting off the day with a save in Sylmar at 8 a.m. when a man was pulled from the side of the L.A. River.
“We don't know what they were doing or how they got into the current,” said Nicholas Prange, an LAFD spokesperson. “That person did get rescued and had mild injuries and mild hypothermia.”
At least three vehicles ended up in the waterway by midday.
Here’s a closer look at your @LAFD utilizing a unique operation to further visualize inside the vehicle. #LAFD #LAriver #LArain. pic.twitter.com/oTHXRnTpzP
— 🅔🅡🅘🅚 🅢🅒🅞🅣🅣 (@PIOErikScott) December 15, 2021
In the San Gabriel Valley, Monrovia issued a local emergency proclamation after a significant mudflow caused damage to Monrovia Canyon Park.
Further up past the foothills, roads were shut down in local mountains due to the weather impacts.
By Tuesday night, all motorists not operating four-wheel-drive vehicles were required to apply chains to their tires if they were planning on taking SR-243 toward Idyllwild. On the other side of the San Gorgonio Pass, SR-38 was closed between Bryant and Big Bear overnight due to four feet of mud and debris on the roadway.
SBD CO: SR 38 expected to remain closed overnight from Bryant to Big Bear. Caltrans working to clear mud and debris 4 ft in some locations. Use alternate routes to Big Bear. pic.twitter.com/VONhAmZA6W
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) December 15, 2021
The closure was lifted by Wednesday morning, but motorists were still advised to pack warm clothing as the conditions were still considered unsafe.
More Rain In The Forecast
Those hoping for a respite from the wet weather will be sorely disappointed, however. Rich Thompson of the National Weather Service told our newsroom that another storm is likely to hit Southern California between Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
"Potentially, it could be some spots receiving anywhere from half an inch to an inch. But again, those are very preliminary estimates and likely to change between now and then,” Thompson said.
Additionally, Thompson said rain may be possible for Christmas Eve and Day.
