Millions Told to Avoid Driving Amid Flood Warning

Southern California Braces for Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding Amid Strong Storm System

The National Weather Service (NWS) is urging Southern California residents to stay off roads and prepare for flooding as an “unusually strong storm system” moves in. This system is expected to bring heavy rain that could cause rapid flooding, especially in areas recently scarred by wildfires.

The County of Los Angeles has already issued several evacuation warnings for neighborhoods near these wildfire-affected regions.

Why It Matters

Flooding ranks as the second deadliest weather hazard nationwide, with many fatalities occurring when vehicles are swept away by rising waters. The NWS warns that burn scars — charred areas where vegetation has been destroyed by fire — combined with heavy rainfall can “quickly worsen flash flooding.”

After a wildfire, rainfall that would normally be absorbed by the soil tends to run off extremely quickly. This is because burned soil can become as water-repellent as pavement. As a result, much less rainfall is needed to produce dangerous flash floods.

In response to the storm and flooding threat, the County of Los Angeles announced in a late Friday X (formerly Twitter) post that three Red Cross shelters are open for anyone impacted.

What To Know

On Friday, the NWS warned that the storm system will bring heavy rainfall, particularly concerning weather conditions on Saturday night. This period is expected to carry a moderate to high risk of significant flash flooding, debris flows, and damaging winds.

A flood watch remains in effect through Saturday evening for several Southern California counties, including Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, and San Diego.

In some areas, such as Southern Ventura County, a flash flood warning is active until noon local time Saturday. Rainfall amounts in these areas could reach between 0.75 to 1.25 inches within an hour.

In West Central Los Angeles County, a flash flood warning describes a “life-threatening situation” and urges residents not to travel unless evacuating or fleeing flood-prone areas. Here, rainfall rates are expected around 0.5 inches in 15 minutes.

The NWS also issues a broad warning of an increased risk for debris flows near fire burn scars. Rockfalls and mudslides may impact mountain highways.

Debris flows are fast-moving, deadly landslides made of mud, rocks, and debris — considered the most powerful and dangerous type of landslide. These flows are likely near burn scars from recent fires, including the devastating Palisades Fire earlier this year.

The greatest rainfall is anticipated in southeast California, where over 2 inches of rain could fall. The combination of heavy rain and flooding is expected to close numerous roadways and cause rivers to overflow.

Because of these hazards, both weather officials and local authorities strongly encourage residents to stay off the roads.

What People Are Saying

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office stated in a Friday X post:

@CAGovernor Gavin Newsom has pre-deployed additional emergency crews and equipment to Southern California as strong storms continue across the state. Resources are staged in Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties to protect communities ahead of impacts.

NWS Los Angeles warned in a Saturday X post:

HEADS UP!!!! Heavy rain is incoming starting within the hour, with an increasing risk of dangerous flooding, especially for LA County. Turn around if you approach a flooded road and listen to orders from local authorities for any actions you may need to take. #LosAngeles

The Weather Channel shared on Saturday:

A series of storms is bringing soaking rain, gusty winds, and mountain snowfall to California through this weekend into early next week.

Weather Nation posted on Saturday:

Heads up Southern California! A band of intense rain is heading into the region this morning with gusty winds and possibly a waterspout. The flood risk will begin to increase quickly as these storms move onshore.

What Happens Next?

Residents are strongly urged to stay updated on weather alerts and avoid driving whenever possible. Flooded roads and vehicles swept away by rising waters pose serious, often deadly, risks.

Stay safe, heed evacuation orders, and monitor local news and weather updates as this powerful storm system moves through Southern California.

https://www.newsweek.com/millions-told-to-avoid-driving-amid-flood-warning-11053643

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