Southern California residents were preparing on Wednesday for a strong winter storm predicted to bring hazardous flooding along with rockslides and mudslides to the area, endangering property and disrupting holiday travel plans.
The National Weather Service reports that peak hourly rainfall in some parts of the region may reach up to 1.5 inches. The foothills and mountains south of Point Conception—including sections of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara—are set to receive up to nine inches (25 centimeters) of rain by 10 p.m. local time on Christmas Eve. Rain will continue falling on Thursday (Christmas Day), and the region could be soaked with a total of 14 inches (35 centimeters) by Friday.
“Severe, widespread flash flooding is expected,” the U.S. Weather Prediction Center stated in an early Wednesday update. “Lives and property are in great danger.”
AccuWeather notes that coastal areas of Southern California will get the equivalent of multiple months’ worth of rain over a period of one to three days.
Some Los Angeles County residents have already been ordered to evacuate areas vulnerable to mudslides, and officials have warned of potential road closures, airport delays, and flight cancellations.
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Forecasters also urged Californians to drive cautiously and never attempt to travel through flooded roadways.
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— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC)