Heavy rainfall throughout Southern California prompted mandatory evacuation orders as well as flash flood warnings Tuesday.
A flash flood warning was issued for parts of Los Angeles County until 4:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
“This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation,” an emergency alert read. “Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”
Heavier precipitation started moving in through L.A. County around 3:15 p.m. Rain rates of nearly half-an-inch were expected in a 30 minute window, according to gauges from the Weather Service.
Similarly, a line of heavy rain moved into the Inland Empire around Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga all the way down to Anaheim and Irvine Tuesday evening.
Rain totals for this three-day storm, which began on Monday, are expected to range between 1 and 3 inches for coastal and valley locations, but up to 5 inches could fall in some mountain and foothill areas.
That has officials concerned about possible mudslides in the region’s recent burn scar areas.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued earlier in the day for residents in the Silverado, Williams, and Modjeska canyons, the Orange County Sheriff stated in a public safety alert.
In Duarte, 25 homes near the Fish Fire burn area were under mandatory evacuation orders Tuesday.
Los Angeles County deputies were in the neighborhood monitoring the situation.
The Duarte Community Center was opened as an evacuation site for any displaced residents.
A flash flood watch was in place through Wednesday morning for parts of Orange County, the San Bernardino County mountains, and the Santa Ana Mountains, according to the Weather Service.
A flood watch was issued for parts of the Antelope Valley and Riverside County through Tuesday evening.
Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are possible in these locations.
The storm sent mud through the Oak Glen community in San Bernardino County Tuesday morning as officials were concerned about the El Dorado and Apple fire burn scars.
Lighter showers are expected to continue into Wednesday morning but drier skies should return the rest of the week and into the weekend.
Snow levels are expected to remain around 7,000 feet Tuesday but may drop to 4,000 feet Tuesday night.
Forecasters are calling for 6 inches to a foot of snow above the 6,000-foot mark with up to 20 inches possible in some areas. Between 2 and 6 inches of snow is expected above the 4,500 foot level.
Drivers were reminded to carry chains when traveling in the mountains.
