A strong Christmas Eve storm marked by dangerously strong wind gusts drenched Southern California on Wednesday, leading to street flooding, evacuation warnings and the looming possibilities of mudslides and dangerous debris flows in areas scarred by recent wildfires. Traffic at the start of a busy holiday travel period was treacherous at best across the region, with more wet weather in the forecast.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department also issued an evacuation warning for the community of Wrightwood due to potential mud and debris flows from the storm, and were working to rescue some residents. Debris and mud were seen rushing down the road leading into Wrightwood in a social media video posted by county fire officials.
The storm landed first over Los Angeles County early Wednesday and was expected to push more strongly into Orange County and the Inland Empire as the day progressds, according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service.
LA County is under a flood advisory until Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m., a flash flood warning until Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 6 p.m., a wind advisory until Thursday, Dec. 25 at 3 p.m., and a flood watch until Friday, Dec. 26 at 4 p.m.
Rainfall totals were matching weather forecasters’ expectations so far. Here’s how much rain the south land had received a day into the storm, according to the NWS:
LA County
San Gabriel mountains: 5-7 inches The San Gabriel Valley: 1.5-2 inches San Fernando Valley: 3-4 inches Santa Monica mountains: 2-4 inches La Cañada foothills: 2-3 inchesOrange County:
Dana Point: .10 of an inch Huntington Beach: .5 of an inch Laguna Beach: .14 of an inch Santa Ana mountains: .25 of an inchInland Empire:
Riverside: .10-.20 of an inch Chino: .16 of an inch Big Bear Lake: .31 of an inch Cajon Pass: .69 of an inch San Bernardino: .25-.5 an inch San Bernardino mountains: .25-.5 an inchIn Orange County, a downed tree in Laguna Beach led to the closure of Coast Highway between Legion Street and Cleo Street for at least an hour, according to a Laguna Beach Police Department social media post.
At one point on Wednesday, Highway 138 was closed between the 15 Freeway in the Cajon Pass and Beekley Road to the west, Caltrans said. Northbound traffic on the 15 was being required to exit at the 138 and re-enter the freeway because of mud on the 15 at the 138 overpass.
Heavy rain was expected to affect the Yucaipa-Oak Glen area, said Chloe Castillo, a spokeswoman for the Cal Fire San Bernardino Unit. The creek that runs past the Oak Glen Steakhouse tends to overflow during heavy rain.
Shane Reichardt, a spokesman for the Riverside County Emergency Management Department, said officials were watching the Airport Fire burn scar off Ortega Highway. He said the expected rainfall rate of seven-tenths of an inch per hour had not reached the threshold of eight-tenths that would trigger warnings to be sent out. That area has held up well during heavy rain, Reichardt said. Officials did send out alertssssss to wireless phones in the areas where people live in rivers, urging them to move to higher ground.
A Los Angeles Public Works skip-loader operator clears Loma Alta Drive in Altadena of debris along the Eaton fire’s burn scar area on Wednesday, Dec. 24. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) Traffic navigates flooded Tujunga Boulevard in North Hollywood on Dec. 24. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) A Caltrans plow tries to clear the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway at Lankershim Boulevard on Wednesday, Dec. 24. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 3A Los Angeles Public Works skip-loader operator clears Loma Alta Drive in Altadena of debris along the Eaton fire’s burn scar area on Wednesday, Dec. 24. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) ExpandConditions could worsen as multiple atmospheric rivers move across California one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. The storm in Los Angeles was expected to strengthen into Wednesday afternoon before tapering off later in the evening.
Reporter Brian Rokos and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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