This article was originally published by LAist on Feb. 11, 2025.
Updated Feb 12, 2025 9:40 PM
Rain began falling across Southern California on Wednesday morning, though early totals are light with less than one-quarter inch measured across most locations from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. That’s to be expected as the main part of the storm has yet to arrive.
Evacuation warnings have been issued for the L.A. County foothill community Sierra Madre, and in Orange County for communities in Modjeska Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Long Canyon and El Cariso, Bell Canyon and San Juan Hot Springs.
The most significant rain is expected to show up on Thursday and stick around into early Friday, bringing with it significant mudslide risk in recently burned areas.
As much as 3 inches of rain could fall in low-lying areas by the time the storm wraps up Friday, while our mountain areas could see as much as 6 inches. Two feet of snow could fall above 6,000 feet locally, and as much as 5 feet of snow is forecast to fall in the Sierra Nevada.
“We haven’t seen any rain like this since last year,” said Kristan Lund, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Consider hunkering down through the worst of the storm as roads and freeways are expected to flood, and heavy rainfall could make it tough for you to see out of your windshield.
Prepare for mudslides
Peak rainfall rates of 1 inch per hour are in the forecast for Thursday, which is a cause for concern, as the debris flow threshold for recently burned areas is a mere one-half inch per hour.
The L.A. County Department of Public Works is forecasting that moderate debris flows could impact streets and structures near the following burn areas:
- Eaton Fire
- Palisades Fire
- Franklin Fire
- Hughes Fire
- Kenneth Fire
- Sunset Fire
- Lidia Fire
- Hurst Fire
- Bridge Fire
“We expect an extraordinary amount of debris,” said Mark Pestrella, director of Public Works during a press conference early Wednesday. The department has prepositioned concrete barriers, known as K-rails, to try to keep debris in the street and away from homes.
Those who live in and around recently burned areas should be prepared to evacuate.
If you haven’t already, you should sign up for emergency alerts (linked below), prepare a go bag, pack up your car and figure out where you’ll head if evacuation orders are issued.
“It’s possible we get through this rain event without any significant problems, but the potential is there,” said Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Oxnard during a news conference Tuesday.
“Given the elevated chances for significant debris flows consisting of raging torrents of rock slides and mudslides that can be damaging and even deadly, now is the time to start getting prepared for these potentially dangerous conditions.”
The good news — debris basins that are designed to intercept mudflows in burn areas have been cleaned and fortified, according to Los Angeles County Public Works.
Flood watches will be in effect for much of Southern California from Thursday afternoon to Thursday night.
Strong wind gusts could down trees and power lines.
In anticipation of the storm, the L.A. Fire Department is deploying resources and the L.A. Department of Water and Power has crews at the ready to respond to power outages.
Although this is the most significant storm to hit this winter, our rainy season has been largely devoid of rain. It pales in comparison with last year’s early February storms, which stressed infrastructure and flooded roads. The recently burned areas are the biggest concern.
This storm may be enough to put an end to fire season; however, it’s unlikely to alleviate widespread extreme drought conditions that have spread across the region.
Evacuation warnings and orders
- L.A. city: Los Angeles Fire Department officials announced Wednesday afternoon that all recent burn scar areas will be under evacuation warnings starting at 7 a.m. Thursday until 2 p.m. They say LAPD officials will also be visiting homes in high-risk areas to issue evacuation orders for specific addresses.
- L.A. County: Evacuation warnings have been issued for Sierra Madre.
- Orange County: Evacuation warnings have been issued for Modjeska Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Long Canyon and El Cariso, Bell Canyon and San Juan Hot Springs.
- San Bernardino County: Highland, under the burn scar of September’s Line Fire, is under an evacuation warning, according to a post on X from the county Sheriff’s Department.
Closures
- Malibu schools: The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced Wednesday that all Malibu schools will be closed Thursday and possibly Friday. Parents should monitor emails from the school district or check with their campus.
Evacuation shelters
- Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Pasadena Civic Auditorium: 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101
Traffic conditions
See latest road conditions in Southern California
Sign up for emergency alerts
- L.A. City: Notify L.A.
- L.A. County: Ready L.A. County
- Ventura County: Ready Ventura County
- Orange County: AlertOC
- Riverside County: AlertRivCo
- Santa Barbara County: SB Sheriff Notifications
Understanding National Weather Service warnings
Here’s an excerpt from our guide to understanding flood warnings, if any are issued:
- Flood advisories are how the NWS begins to raise the alarm. The goal is to give people enough time to take action.
- Flood watches are your indicators to get prepared to move.
- A flood warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. When one is issued for your area, you need to get to higher ground immediately.
- A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is coming or in progress. Flash floods are sudden and violent floods that can start within minutes.
Read more: Flash Flood Warnings? Watches? Here’s What You Need To Know
Tips for driving in the rain
- Check weather and road conditions along your planned route.
- Slow down.
- Keep a wider-than-usual distance between your vehicle and the one in front.
- Don’t drive through standing water — as little as 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and two feet can carry away SUVs and trucks.
- Make sure tires are fully inflated.
- Check windshield wiper blades and replace if necessary.
Read more: What You Should Do If You End Up Driving In A Flooded Area
Downed tree, power line or flooded road?
Dial 911 if it’s an emergency.
However, if you need to report a flooded road or a downed tree, you can call the following non-emergency numbers:
- L.A. City: Dial 311 for a flooded road or downed tree. Call (800) DIAL-DWP if you see a downed power line.
- L.A. County: (800) 675-HELP
- Ventura County: (805) 384-1500
- Orange County: (714) 955-0200 or visit here.
If you’re in L.A. County and need sand bags, you can find some at local fire houses.
This report is reprinted with permission from Southern California Public Radio. © 2024 Southern California Public Radio. All rights reserved.
