Southern California braces for widespread rain over Christmas holiday

Forecasts have solidified as Southern California braces for a widespread storm that will bring heavy rain to the region during the Christmas holiday.

The National Weather Service predicts between 3 to 6 inches of rain in the coastal and valley areas, and 5 to 11 inches in the foothills and mountains.

"We're going to get hit hard, and we're going to get hit for a long period of time," said CBS LA Next Weather Meteorologist Marina Jurica.

CBS LA Next Weather Chief Meteorologist Paul Deanno forecast that widespread rainfall will arrive in the afternoon on Tuesday, although the ramp-up in intensity won't take place until after midnight. The highest rain totals of the storm are expected during the daytime on Wednesday, according to the NWS.

CBS LA has issued a Next Weather Alert that begins Tuesday and lasts through Christmas Day on Thursday. A Next Weather Watch is in place for Friday, which could be upgraded to an alert as meteorologists monitor potential rainfall.

"Safety is of paramount concern this week," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a news conference on Tuesday. "We're expecting a strong winter storm with heavy rain and wind to begin [Tuesday night]."

With significant rain totals expected throughout the region, flooding and mudslide concerns are mounting. A NWS Flood Watch is in place through Thursday evening due to "significant and widespread urban roadway flooding, a high risk of major rock/mudslides, and rapid rises in creeks, streams, and rivers which will likely lead to swift water rescues."

"Being out on the roads will be exceptionally dangerous," said Dr. Ariel Cohen of the NWS.

Evacuation orders and warnings near SoCal burn scars

An emphasis was placed on protecting burn scar areas affected by recent wildfires. Evacuation Orders have been issued to specific homes in burn scar areas, including the Agua, Bridge, Canyon, Eaton, Franklin, Kenneth, Owen, and Palisades fire areas.

"If you decide to stay in your home in an evacuated area ... it could be difficult to leave once the storm begins," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna during a news conference Tuesday.

Malibu resident Claire Hamano filled her car with sandbags at an LA County site on Monday and expressed concern over potential slides near her home.

"If there are landslides, let's say on the PCH, we won't be able to get out ... that's kind of my biggest fear," she said. "I'm trying to prevent mud from flowing onto the street on my property."  

On Monday afternoon, the city of Los Angeles issued an Evacuation Warning for those located in the burn scar areas from the Hurst and Sunset Fires, as well as the neighborhood of Mandeville Canyon. The warning is in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday to 11 p.m. Thursday.

Evacuation warnings were issued by San Bernardino County officials on Tuesday evening with heavy rain in the immediate forecast. It affected people living near the Line Fire burn scar in Highland, as well as other mountain communities like Forest Falls, Seven Oaks, Angelus Oaks, Northeast Yucaipa and areas of Oak Glen. 

The NWS urged holiday travelers to use caution over the next few days, with roadway flooding expected.

The city of LA pre-deployed resources on Tuesday, including an increase in staffing for the LA Fire Department, in anticipation of the storm.