Evacuation warnings issued for parts of Southern California as early-season rainstorm heads to region
An early-season storm is heading to Southern California, bringing the possibility of heavy rainfall and flooding on Tuesday.
The storm is developing in the Pacific Northwest and will make its way south by early Tuesday morning, but the National Weather Service says, "light to moderate pre-frontal rain could start over the Southland as early as this evening."
Ahead of the upcoming weather event, KCAL News has issued a Next Weather Alert for much of Southern California on Tuesday and Wednesday. Meteorologists say widespread rain, wind and cooler temperatures could affect the region.
Meteorologist Marina Jurica said temperatures will plummet on Tuesday, well below average, with highs only reaching into the 60s and lows in the 40s. Onshore winds will increase as the system continues to move through the region.
The NWS has issued a flood watch and a flash flood watch through Tuesday afternoon for "areas in and nearby the recent burn scars of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties." Forecasters predict that rainfall rates will generally range between .25 and .50 inches per hour.
The highest pockets of rain in Ventura County will be between 1 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday and in LA County between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The storm is expected to move out of the region by Tuesday night, but chilly conditions will persist.
Evacuation warnings
The Emergency Management Department issued an evacuation warning in parts of Southern California for possible debris flows. The warning is in effect from 10 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Prepare for possible evacuations in the zones: LFD-1081, 1083, 1085, 1087, 1089, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1095, 1096, 1097, and 0891 (Mandeville), Hurst Fire: LFD 0001-B, Sunset Fire: LFD-0835.
Below is an interactive map of the current evacuation advisories.
The LAFD said crews will go door-to-door to provide additional information to high-risk homes, including those near the Eaton and Palisades burn scars.
Two American Red Cross Shelters were opened on Monday, ahead of the storm. They could be found at the Sierra Madre YMCA, located at 611 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard in Sierra Madre, and at the Stoner Recreation Center, located at 1835 Stoner Avenue in Los Angeles.
Pepperdine University announced that it will shift to remote instruction at its Malibu and Calabasas campuses on Tuesday. Classes at its West LA and Irvine campuses will remain in-person. Pepperdine expects classes to resume in person on Wednesday.
Access to sandbags
To help residents prepare for the rainstorm, the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles County Public Works are offering free sandbags. All neighborhood fire stations offer free ready-to-fill sandbags. As seasonal conditions warrant, sand is also available for free at select locations around the city.
Sandbags can help divert moving water and protect properties and homes from damage.
Use this link to find an LAFD station near you.
