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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A strong system bringing heavy rain, evacuation order and warnings, flood warnings and road closures is in the forecast Wednesday for Los Angeles and Orange counties and is expected to douse the region for the next three days.
Scattered showers moved into Southern California Tuesday and kicked off a series of late-winter storms expected to bring heavier rainfall lingering into Friday.
With Los Angeles County facing substantial rain for the next two days - - nearly an inch per hour during the storm's peak -- officials issued evacuation warnings and "address specific" evacuation orders in places vulnerable to mudslides, including recent burn areas, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced Tuesday.
The city of Sierra Madre also issued evacuation orders and warnings for several areas in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. They can be found at sierramadreca.gov/.
All evacuation orders and warnings were in effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday.
Officials said the following burn areas were "especially susceptible to heavy rain":
-- Palisades Fire: Getty Villa area, Highlands near the burn areas, Bienveneda area near Temescal Canyon Park, Rivas Canyon/Will Rogers State Park area, Mandeville Canyon above Tanners Road, Old Ranch Road and Rustic Creek;
-- Sunset Fire: East and south of Runyon Canyon;
-- Hurst Fire: Olive Lane in the Oakridge Mobile Home Park;
Houses in the warning area with high risk were being visited by the Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday to receive specific evacuation orders. If residents are not home, the department was leaving a flyer with relevant information.
Mayor Karen Bass announced Wednesday morning that Los Angeles' Emergency Operations Center has been activated to a Level 2.
"While we prepare for another storm headed towards L.A., I want to urge Angelenos to stay vigilant, especially in burn scar areas," Bass said. "My number one job is to keep Angelenos safe, so please heed all evacuation warnings, stay vigilant and stay informed."
In addition, a flood watch was expected from Wednesday at 6 p.m. to Thursday 6 p.m.
Caltrans planned to close a segment of Pacific Coast Highway to residents and businesses in burn scar areas at noon Wednesday due to safety concerns from the incoming storm. Only emergency vehicles and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris-hauling contractors will be allowed through the closure.
Residents with homes in the burn scar area should consider alternate routes in the afternoon hours or consider teleworking if possible, officials said.
LA Metro officials said bus Line 134 would be canceled at noon Wednesday until further notice.
Caltrans and other officials will reassess the situation Thursday to determine if the highway can reopen to residents and businesses with passes by Friday for morning commute, if not earlier. That decision is dependent on the extent of the storm and resulting impacts of any debris flows.
LA County Public Works crews have prepared debris basins, stabilized slopes, and reinforced drainage systems to reduce flood risk, particularly in recent burn areas including Eaton, Palisades, Bridge, Hurst, Kenneth, Hughes, Sunset, Lidia and Franklin, officials said.
"While these efforts reduce flood risk, the storm could still bring moderate debris and mudflows to burn areas, potentially blocking streets and threatening structures depending on their location and the local terrain," the department said.
"To mitigate potential impacts, LA County Public Works has activated 24/7 storm patrols and remains fully mobilized," officials added.
L.A. County's Mudflow Advice Hotline can be reached at 800-933-0930, for questions about debris flows.
For storm preparedness tips, the county advised residents to visit READY.LACounty.gov.
Health officials also warned the public to avoid the water at all Los Angeles County beaches due to high levels of bacteria anticipated due to the rain. That warning will be in effect until at least 4 p.m. Friday.
In Orange County, officials issued evacuation warnings for areas in the Trabuco Canyon, Hot Springs Canyon, Bell Canyon, Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon due to possible debris flows along or near the Airport Fire burn scar.
Long Beach was preparing for potential flooding, particularly in low- lying areas including along the peninsula and Alamitos Bay. The city has activated sandbag distribution sites for all residents through Thursday, with sand and sandbags available at all fire department neighborhood stations.
Rainfall is expected to range from 1 to 2 inches along the coast and in valley areas and 2 to 4 inches in the foothills and mountains. Rainfall rates could reach up to .75 inches per hour.
This system will also likely be the biggest snow maker of the season, with 1 to 2 feet of snow forecast for higher elevations.
"Steady rain will turn to showers Thursday. The snow levels will drop to around 3,000 ft and a few inches of snow is possible over the Grapevine and other lower elevations passes," the NWS said.
Stronger, gusty southwest to west winds will develop Wednesday night and continue through Thursday night, the NWS said.
Cooler temperatures are expected all week, with daytime highs dropping to around 60 degrees in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday and around 55 on Thursday and Friday. Overnight lows will generally be in the 40s and lower 50s, but will drop into the 30s on Thursday and Friday in the mountains and the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley.
A weaker storm system moving inland to the north on Friday could keep some showers going into Friday night, according to forecasters. However, things dry out and warm up for the weekend.
