Another round of voluntary evacuations were in effect Wednesday as residents in Silverado Canyon, Modjeska Canyon and Williams Canyon prepare for the third storm to hit the area this month.
A evacuation warning began at 10 a.m. for the Bond Fire burn areas, which remain at risk for mud slides and fast-moving debris flows. But later in the day, officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for the areas beginning at 8 p.m.
A flood watch is in place for Orange County coastal and inland areas — including the canyons — through Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
For residents living around the Bond Fire burn scar, Wednesday’s storm will be the third to bring rain this month.
A storm two weeks ago brought severe flooding and damaged several homes. The second storm hit during the Christmas holiday but did not do as much damage.
Wednesday’s storm is expected to bring about 2 inches of rain along the coast and from 5 to 7 inches in the mountains and foothills, according to the Weather Service.
A soft road closure, which will allow local traffic only, will be in place at canyon entrances beginning at 10 a.m.
Strong winds and cold temperatures will accompany Wednesday’s storm. Temperatures are expected to remain between 15 and 20 degrees below normal for many areas.
A map showing the areas under voluntary evacuation warnings can be found at www.ocsheriff.gov/bondfire.
Storm and evacuation updates will be posted on the Orange County Twitter feed.