A storm with heavy rain has arrived in southern California and threatens to cause flooding and possible landslides in areas affected by wildfires. The worst of the storm is yet to come.

The region is expected to receive rain for several days, including the weekend and possibly next week. The heaviest rains will arrive overnight Friday through Saturday afternoon. Evacuation warnings have been issued for many communities, and a small number of residents near the burned areas are under evacuation orders. Two storm systems are expected to bring 1 to 3 inches of rain on Friday to areas still reeling from the January wildfires, according to NBC News. “The primary concern is torrential rain, which poses a life-threatening risk, with widespread flash flooding and mudslides likely in vulnerable fire-affected areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said in its Friday forecast. Rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches are expected along the coast and in the valleys of Ventura County, and 4 to 8 inches in the mountains and valleys. foothills.

The San Diego metropolitan area also faces a moderate risk of flooding between Friday and Saturday.

More than 23 million people live in at-risk areas. The rains began Friday afternoon and had already turned muddy in some areas due to the lack of vegetation caused by the January wildfires that devastated much of Los Angeles and San Diego County.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) officials reported that approximately 1 inch of rain fell in one hour on Friday and that Highway 101 had up to 6 inches of accumulated mud, causing at least one vehicle to become stuck.

A second storm system, with strong winds and between 2 and 8 inches of rain, is expected to affect the area through Saturday as the storms intensify. Ventura County officials issued an evacuation order from Thursday through Sunday for the area affected by the Mountain Fire in January. Residents of Camino Cielo, Matilija Canyon, and North Fork are also under evacuation orders. The heaviest rainfall is expected from Friday night through Saturday, prompting a flash flood watch from 4 a.m. PST through 10 p.m. Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times. Mudslides and debris fields could affect areas burned by the January wildfires in and around Eaton, Hurst, Kenneth, Palisades, and Sunset counties. The rainfall could cause widespread and potentially life-threatening damage. They are expected to end the annual fire season in Southern California.

Storm Preparation

Governor Gavin Newsom's office urged Southern California residents to sign up for emergency alerts, stay informed about flooding and mudslides, check on elderly and disabled neighbors, prepare a backpack with essential items for last-minute travel, and, if possible, avoid driving on the roads.

The governor's office reported that it has deployed 400 firefighters, rescue teams, first responders, and emergency operators to various areas of Southern California as part of preparations for the Pacific storm.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported that the Los Angeles Fire Department is participating in the deployment and has three swiftwater rescue teams, an urban search and rescue team, and a crew of 22 heavy rescue trucks ready to operate throughout the weekend.

The San Diego County government and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection are providing free flood defense sandbags to residents of unincorporated areas.