Tail end of winter storm will continue to bring heavy rain across Southern California causing dangerous conditions
The tail end of the current winter storm over Southern California will finish passing through on Friday, bringing the last round of heavy rain.
Over the past couple of days, the region has received record rainfall rates, with parts of San Bernardino County like Wrightwood that were slammed by dangerous mudslides. On Christmas Day, an EF0 tornado touched down in Boyle Heights, causing some damage to businesses when 80-mile-per-hour winds whipped through the area for several minutes.
One person has died as a result of the unprecedented strength of the storm, which caused heavy flooding in the Antelope Valley. On Friday morning, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopter spotted a car that was partially submerged in debris in Lancaster. Upon further inspection, they found a man dead inside of the vehicle.
In Ventura, a storm drain gave way behind one home, causing the backyard to virtually disappear after storm runoff left the ground heavily saturated. Despite the sudden loss of land, emergency officials told homeowners in the area that their houses would be safe.
The National Weather Service says the last round of rain from the storm will occur during the day and taper off by the late afternoon before ending overnight.
The potential for flooding remains high because parts of the ground remain heavily saturated. The NWS warns that rainfall will quickly turn into runoff.
An NWS flood watch will remain in effect through Friday afternoon for LA, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
Weather officials explained that the storm will come in two waves, with the first hitting through the morning. The coast and valleys of LA County will receive between an inch and 1.5 inches of rain, with parts of the foothills and mountains receiving between an inch to 3 inches.
A CBS LA Next Weather Alert is also in effect throughout the day as the widespread rain continues.
The second wave will be weaker, with only up to half an inch in some communities.
Conditions will dry out by Saturday, but temperatures will remain low and cool.
Evacuation orders and warnings
A mandatory evacuation order remains in effect for residents in the Riverwood neighborhood due to the partial release of the Tujunga Dam by LA County Public Works personnel.
Evacuation warnings also remained for the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin, Kenneth, Agua, Owen, and Agua fire areas until 1 p.m. on Friday, according to county officials.
Road closures
All lanes of the northbound 5 Freeway at Lankershim in Sun Valley are closed because of flooding. Officials are diverting traffic off the freeway just south of Tuxford Street.
- Southbound 5 Freeway: Lankershim Boulevard on-ramp, Calgrove Boulevard on-ramp
- 101 Freeway: Left lane closed in both directions between California Street and Seaward Avenue
- State Route 2: All lanes closed for 12 miles west of State Route 39 (San Gabriel Canyon Road)
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard: All lanes of State Route closed between Grand View Drive and Pacific Coast Highway
- State Route 33: All lanes closed between Fairview Road and Lockwood Valley Road
- State Route 138: All lanes closed between Palmdale Road (SR 18) PM and LA/SBD County line
Use this link to view a complete list of road closures in LA County.