Heavy rain, warnings of flash floods in Southern California force evacuation orders, warnings

Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for burn scar areas across Southern California as heavy rainfall threatens dangerous debris flows.

Just before 5 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department reported a "large debris flow" that sent about 8 inches of mud across Mulholland Drive blocking the roadway. No one was injured, LAFD officials said.

While crews said homes above the debris flow were on stable ground. They have closed Mulholland Drive for the rest of the storm because of the continuing mud flow.

Flash floods and thunderstorm warnings

Forecasters have issued severe thunderstorm warnings for several Los Angeles neighborhoods and flash flood warnings in the Pacific Palisades area. As part of the thunderstorm warning, forecasters said the strongest storm was moving from the San Fernando Valley toward the San Gabriel Valley, bringing predicted gusts of 70 mph and the possibility of weak tornadoes.

According to the National Weather Service Los Angeles, several thunderstorms were spotted beginning at 4:05 p.m. in an area spanning from Santa Clarita to Point Mugu State Park, about 50 miles away. Forecasters said the severe thunderstorm warning was expected to impact several areas of LA County, including the Eastside neighborhoods of Boyle Heights and Highland Park, areas of the San Fernando Valley such as Tarzana and Reseda, and some of the coastline, including the Palisades.

Forecasters warned that flash flooding in areas of Malibu and Pacific Palisades could push mud and debris into roads and the Palisades Fire burn scar, where the risks of mudslides and debris flows are even higher. A similar advisory was issued for San Gabriel Valley neighborhoods near the Eaton Fire burn scar. 

Los Angeles evacuation orders and warnings

Evacuation warnings are in effect across Los Angeles County in the Palisades, Mandeville Canyon, Sunset, Eaton and Hurst burn scar areas until 2 p.m. Friday. Mandatory evacuation orders have been in effect in Sierra Madre neighborhoods near the Eaton Fire zone and that mandatory evacuation zone was expanded later Thursday to include the Altadena area.

Wireless Emergency Alerts have been sent to targeted areas and houses identified as high-risk have been visited by Los Angeles County sheriff deputies and police officers.  

Mayor Karen Bass said that Los Angeles Police Department officers have gone door-to-door to homes where evacuation orders are in place. "If you reside in a home where you need to evacuate, the LAPD has knocked on your door and left a door hangar. So individuals have been contacted if they need to evacuate," Bass said.  

Pasadena has issued evacuation orders for part of its Hastings Ranch neighborhood, affecting roughly 10 homes. There are evacuation warnings in place for 25 homes in the East Pasadena community. 

Orange County evacuations

Orange County officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for Trabuco, Bell and Hot Springs Canyons due to potential debris flows along or near the Airport Fire burn scar. Areas near the Long and Modjeska Canyons remain under evacuation warnings. 

Ventura County Evacuations

The Ventura County Sheriff's Emergency Services has issued evacuation warnings for residents who live near the Mountain Fire Burn area. The warning will be in effect until 8 a.m. Friday. 

"Varying forecast models suggest a remote possibility peak rainfall rates near or above .75" an hour for some parts of the Mountain Fire Burn Area, including South Mountain," officials said. 

San Bernardino County

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has issued evacuation warnings in the community of Highland, along the Line Fire burn scar area, but those were upgraded to mandatory evacuation orders later Thursday.

Officials have been concerned the heavy rainfall could cause mud and debris flows. 

Resources ready for emergencies 

Damaging wind gusts are also a possibility with the quick burst of activity from 4 to 9 p.m. Bass said Department of Water and Power crews are activated to respond to power outages. She also said city crews have installed concrete barriers and sandbags to stop mudflows and the fire department has prepositioned Swift Water Rescue and Urban Search & Rescue teams, bulldozers and other resources. LAPD officers are checking on critical infrastructure and are ready to facilitate evacuation.

Weather officials with NWS issued a flash flood watch that will be in effect until Thursday night for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties with a particular focus on the burn scars. 

In preparation for the last rain event, Bass issued an Emergency Executive Order to shore up burn scar areas. Crews have been working to remove debris from affected properties to minimize the dangerous debris flowing into streets and waterways.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has halted field operations to remove household hazardous materials during the storm. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also reduced debris removal operations across LA County on Thursday. 

"We have been working closely with the U.S. EPA and Corps of Engineers to ensure the safety of all work crews and the community," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Curtis Brown. "We are committed to completing this mission as quickly and safely as possible and will continue our work as soon as conditions allow."

The LA fire and police departments have teams on standby ready to assist residents during emergencies. 

"The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety will have inspection staff on standby to perform assessments of damages caused by the storm and will work closely with the Los Angeles Emergency Management Department," the mayor's office said.  

Locations to find sandbags and other emergency resources and information for those bracing for possible debris flows can be found here.   

Road Conditions

The rain has caused some roads, especially near the burn scars, to close as mud and debris flood the streets across Southern California. 

Places like Malibu were hit hard, with multiple debris flows impacting the Pacific Coast Highway. 

At around 5 p.m., a Los Angeles Fire Department car was swept off the road in Malibu and pushed off the side of a cliff before winding up in the ocean. The firefighter inside escaped without injury. 

Below is a map of the current road conditions.