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Another storm bearing down on Southern California is expected to bring periods of heavy rain Wednesday and Thursday, prompting officials in Riverside County to issue evacuation orders and warnings for residents in areas charred by the Holy and Cranston fires. The Pacific storm move into the region Wednesday morning, but the heaviest rain isn’t expected until later in the afternoon, the National Weather Service stated. A flash flood watch is in place for parts of Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties from late Wednesday through Thursday evening. In Los Angeles County, a flash flood watch will go into effect on Thursday. Forecasters are expected 1 to 2 inches of rain along the coast and valley locations. Two to 4 inches are expected in the foothills, with around 5 inches of rain possible in the mountains. This week’s storm is also expected to be quite a bit warmer than our last weather system, which means snow levels are expected to rise to about 7,000 feet.

Evacuation orders in some Holy Fire burn areas

Officials say some residents in the Riverside County Holy Fire burn areas should evacuate immediately, while others should be ready to leave at any time. Forecasters believe this could be the strongest storm to hit the area this season. The bridge on Trabuco Canyon Road near Trabuco Creek was closed at 10 p.m. Wednesday in anticipation of the rains. The bridge was also closed last week after a storm trigged mudflow in the area. Evacuation orders have been issued for the following zones: • Amorose • Alberhill • Glen Ivy-A • Glen Ivy-B • Glen Eden • Grace • Horsethief-A • Horsethief-B • Laguna-A • Maitri • McVicker-A • Rice • Withrow-A People in these areas “must go now,” according to the county’s website. Evacuation warnings were also in place in: • Alvarado-A • Laguna-B • Lakeside-A • Apple Canyon • Strawberry Creek • Fleming Ranch • Hurkey Creek People in these zones and communities “should go now,” county officials said. “This is the safest time to leave.” Care and reception centers were opened at Temescal Canyon High School, located at 28532 El Toro Road in Lake Elsinore, and Idyllwild School at 26700 Highway 243 in Idyllwild.

Storm brings mud slide threat to Woolsey Fire burn areas

Residents in the Woolsey Fire burn areas are also bracing for the arrival of Wednesday’s storm. The city of Malibu has prepared by clearing out storm drains and have asked residents to take precautions for their own properties. Sand bags are available to residents at Fire Station 70 and 88. Officials asked residents to avoid canyon roads during periods of rain. Drivers should also be aware that portions of Pacific Coast Highway are subject to close at various times due to mud and debris flows. Forecasters are expecting periods of rain to continue through Thursday evening and possibly into Friday. Free, empty sandbags are available to Malibu residents at Malibu-area Los Angeles County Fire Department stations, according to Malibu city officials. They include Station 70, 3970 Carbon Canyon Road; Station 71, 28722 Pacific Coast Highway; Station 88, 23720 Malibu Road; Station 99, 32550 Pacific Coast Highway; and Zuma Beach Lifeguard Headquarters, 30050 Pacific Coast Highway.