A strong Pacific storm is increasing the risk of life-threatening flooding in Southern California
KSBW
By CNN Meteorologists Briana Waxman, Taylor Ward, Mary Gilbert
(CNN) — A strong Pacific storm is bringing soaking rain to Southern California, increasing the risk of life-threatening flooding, mudslides and debris flows, especially near burn scars in the Los Angeles area.
Evacuation orders are in effect for “vulnerable properties” within the Palisades, Hurst and Sunset burn scars, according to a Friday news release from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The threat is tied to a multiday storm that began Thursday in northern and central California. More than a month’s worth of rain fell Saturday in many locations, with more still to come.
November marks a transition into the rainier winter season, with December to February marking the wettest months of the year in the Bay Area.
As the storm drenched the region Friday, a 71-year-old man died after his car was pushed off a flooded bridge in the Sacramento Valley and a father died trying to save his 5-year-old daughter from 20-foot waves at a state park beach along the central coast.
The flood threat has intensified as an atmospheric river feeds moisture from the ocean into the storm.
Parts of the region – including much of the Los Angeles area – are under a Level 3 of 4 risk of flooding rainfall on Saturday, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
Rainfall amounts up to 1.5 inches have been widespread in the Los Angeles area since early Saturday, with totals surpassing 2 inches farther northeast into Ventura County.
Los Angeles and Long Beach are among several Southern California cities that have recorded more rain on Saturday than is typical for all of November. Oxnard saw 1.56 inches, up from an average of 0.71 inches in November.
Los Angeles has picked up 2.75 inches of rain since the earliest hours of Friday morning, which is more than three Novembers’ worth of rain in under 48 hours.
This second round of rain has the added danger of falling over already-wet ground, which struggles to absorb additional rain and will start flooding quicker than dry ground.
There’s also the potential for isolated severe thunderstorms embedded within the heavier rain Saturday. Some of these storms could produce damaging wind gusts, hail and perhaps a short-lived tornado.
Much of the Los Angeles area is under a flood watch through Saturday evening. The National Weather Service warns the storm could trigger life-threatening debris flows, knock out power and flood roads.
Burn scar areas on alert
Areas burned by recent wildfires in the region will be particularly vulnerable to mudslides and debris flows.
Not only do wildfires destroy vegetation that would normally soak up some of the rainfall, but their extreme heat can alter the soil, creating a water-repellent layer just below the surface.
Evacuation orders in effect through Sunday morning cover parts of the Palisades, Hurst and Sunset burn scars, but those are not the only areas at risk of dangerous debris flows.
Parts of the Eaton and Bridge burn scars also have a high threat of “significant” debris flows, the National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned Friday morning.
The heaviest rain is expected to ease late Saturday, but the region isn’t in the clear. Showers linger into Sunday, and the ground will be saturated. It won’t take much rain to trigger more minor flooding or keep roads slick, especially in spots that usually drain slowly after big storms.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
CNN’s Joe Sutton contributed to this report.
