Rain and flood warnings grip Los Angeles County

Heavy showers hammered Los Angeles on Monday. 

Four counties in Southern California were put under a flood watch only two weeks after a severe winter storm ruined the area with severe flooding and mudslides.

Flood Watch and Warnings:

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for wide areas of Los Angeles County’s inland coast, extending through Wednesday. 

Additionally, on Monday, parts of western Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Mountains were placed under a flash flood warning until 6 p.m. 

Flood warnings have also been issued for the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, as well as the Eastern Santa Monica mountains.

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Severe Weather Threat:

AccuWeather Meteorologist Joseph Bauer has highlighted Monday and Tuesday as the main days of concern for flooding. 

The storm system is forecasted to bring up to 5 inches of rain and winds reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. Mountainous regions may experience several feet of snow accumulation along with heavy rainfall, potentially reaching up to 8 inches.

Impact Across Southern California:

The rainstorm began in the Central Valley late Sunday and has since moved southward, soaking areas including San Diego. 

Monday’s rainfall is expected to primarily affect the region northwest of the L.A. basin, with the heaviest precipitation anticipated in Santa Barbara and Ventura County. Santa Barbara has already reported significant rainfall, prompting flash flood reports in various areas.

Preparedness Measures:

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has taken proactive steps in response to the storm, activating its operations center and deploying personnel and equipment to vulnerable areas. 

Despite these efforts, the storm has already necessitated numerous rescues across northern and central California. 

In Sloughhouse, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Sacramento, firefighters rescued two individuals stranded atop a vehicle stalled in floodwaters, as reported by the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.