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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The second in a pair of back-to-back storm systems moved over the Southland overnight and continued into the early morning hours Friday, leading to wet roads, a mudslide on Pacific Coast Highway and some rocks tumbling near Pacific Palisades, but no major damage overall.
The rain was expected to continue tapering off Friday, with dry conditions expected for a few days ahead of another, possibly much stronger, storm by later next week.
While the first storm system that moved through the area earlier this week dropped less rain than originally predicted, the latest front "overperformed," according to the National Weather Service, with the Warm Springs area of Los Angeles County receiving roughly 3 inches of rain.
"It has been mostly a light to moderate beneficial rain, minus a heavier band that moved over the Southland last evening and again early (Friday) morning," according to the NWS. "Rainfall rates have been largely between a quarter- to a half-inch per hour, but a report of 0.60 inch per hour came in last evening west of the Palisades burn scar."
A mudslide occurred overnight on Pacific Coast Highway just north of Big Rock Drive, covering all lanes of the roadway -- which was closed at the time as a storm precaution. Caltrans officials said crews were examining the damage, and it was unclear how long it would take to clear the road.
Due to fears of possible mud or debris flows, Caltrans closed PCH at 3 p.m. Tuesday between Chautauqua Boulevard in Los Angeles and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu. The road was expected to reopen sometime Friday, depending on weather conditions, but no decision had been announced as of Friday morning. The mudslide was likely to complicate the reopening effort.
A little to the east, rocks were reported to have fallen near Sunset and Topanga Canyon boulevards. But no injuries were reported.
In Buena Park in Orange County, three people were killed in a collision between a pickup and a big rig that would up jack-knifed on the roadway. It was unclear if slick roads caused by the rain contributed to the crash.
Forecasters said the rain would continue to taper off Friday and skies will begin to clear "as a drying trend will establish." The snow level was expected to fall as low as 5,500 feet. But overall, a warming trend was expected for the weekend, although temperatures will still remain "on the cool side of normal through the weekend."
The NWS warned, however, that another storm system was likely to move into the region by the middle of next week, possibly bringing more powerful rains. Forecasters said the storm is likely to materialize Wednesday night into Thursday.
"Very early ... estimates suggest a 1 to 2 inch storm across the coastal and valley areas with up to between 2 and 4 inches across the mountains," according to the NWS.
With PCH closed, only essential workers -- such as first responders, recovery agencies and utility companies -- were being permitted on the roadway, according to Caltrans.
Residents with passes are still able to return to their homes in Pacific Palisades via Chautauqua, according to Caltrans.
PCH had just reopened Monday with one lane of traffic in both directions between Santa Monica and Malibu, a stretch that was largely closed since Jan. 7 due to the Palisades Fire.
In advance of the rain, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works worked to clean drainage facilities and debris basins, install additional k-rails near homes and provide sandbags at vulnerable sites.
County storm preparedness actions included:
-- Debris Basin and Flood Control Maintenance. Public Works crews have been clearing storm drains, catch basins, and debris basins in vulnerable burn areas, removing over 400 cubic yards of mud and debris in Sunset Mesa alone.
-- Infrastructure Reinforcements. With support from the California Office of Emergency Services, the county has deployed 679 feet of k-rail and over 1,500 sandbags in key locations within the Palisades and Eaton burn areas to slow runoff and prevent dangerous debris flows.
-- Beach and Water Quality Protection. The county is actively working with beaches and harbors, the Department of Public Health, and state and federal agencies to prevent post-fire debris from polluting local beaches and coastal waters.
-- Community Resources and Support. Free sandbags and flood risk assessments remain available to residents at designated locations, including the La Costa Post Office at 21229 PCH in Malibu.
Residents were urged to clear drainage paths around their properties, install sandbags to direct runoff away from homes, avoid travel in burn areas and mountain roads during heavy rainfall and sign up for emergency alerts at ready.lacounty.gov.
