What to Know
- A storm moving slowly through Southern California will bring rain through Tuesday.
- Staggering rainfall totals were reported across the region, including in downtown LA where a month's worth of rain fell in just a few hours.
- Mud and debris flows caused damage after steady overnight rain.
A flash flood warning was in effect Monday afternoon for a large part of Los Angeles county as a slow-moving storm continued to drench the region.
Flood warnings were in effect until 3 p.m. for the Santa Monica Mountains and the Hollywood Hills Monday after hours of steady rain that began Sunday afternoon. A more widespread part of the county, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Glendale and Arcadia were included a flash flood warning issued until 6 p.m.
Live Coverage: Storm updates will be provided above when available.
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The winter storm fueled by an atmospheric river as it moved over the Pacific delivered record rainfall to the region, and it isn’t finished yet. The inclement weather will continue to batter SoCal with strong showers and mountain snow at high elevations. Most of the region was under flood warnings and watches early Monday.
The overnight rains triggered slides and flooding that led to several canyon road closures. In Beverly Crest, a debris flow damaged about five homes, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. Video showed cars and SUVs stuck in deep mud.
In Studio City, a mud and debris flow forced evacuations at nine homes and damages at least two homes. There were no reports of injuries. A mud and debris flow in the Beverly Glen area damaged about five homes and left cars and SUVs stuck in mud.
Elsewhere, slide and flooding led to road closures throughout the region, including roads through the Sepulveda Basin, including Burbank Boulevard between the 405 Freeway and Balboa Boulevard and Woodley Avenue between Burbank and Victory boulevards.
Benedict Canyon and Beverly Glen Canyon roads were closed because of flooding and slides.
Rain fell throughout the morning drive and will likely impact the evening commute, too.
“The concentration shifts on onto the east across areas in eastern LA County as well as Orange County and San Bernardino and Riverside Counties and it’s very good for a good portion of the morning,” said NBCLA forecaster Melissa Magee said. “We’ve got that rain concentrated over the same area before we get into Monday night.”
February is typically the wettest month of the year in Los Angeles with downtown LA averaging 3.64 inches of rain for the month. This multi-day storm is expected to bring that amount and possibly more over a 24- to 48-hour period and rival some of the highest rain totals from last year, including the nearly 3 inches of rain produced over two days by the remnants of Tropical Storm Hillary in August.
On Sunday, downtown LA recorded 4.10 inches of rain, passing the daily record of 2.55 inches set in 1927. Since 1877, Sunday was the third wettest day ever for February.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's office issued a state of emergency for Southern California counties in the storm's path.
The storm will take its time Monday moving through Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. Expect rain throughout Monday in Los Angeles and Orange counties, and the Inland Empire.
LA County can expect an additional 1.5 to 3 inches of rain before the storm moves out. Other areas will likely see 1 to 2 more inches of rain.
Significant rainfall may fall in the mountains and those showers will likely trickle down to the basin.
“Some of the rain rates across the mountain spots might actually be into half-an-inch to an inch per hour rate,” said NBCLA forecaster David Biggar. “All that water’s got to go somewhere, that’s why we have the high risk for some flooding.”
Showers are in Tuesday's forecast before rain diminishes in the afternoon into mid-week.
How to prepare for the rain
According to NBC4 meteorologist Belen de Leon, here are some tips on how to prep for the storm:
- Change travel plans to avoid dangerous roads
- Fill and place sandbags in vulnerable areas
- Move parked cars out of flood-prone, low-lying areas
- Charge up batteries and phones in case of power outages
- Secure any loose objects outside
- Change plans involving boating over open waters
- Get extra supplies and gas in mountains, residents might be stranded for days
Gov. Gavin Newsom's office issued a state of emergency for Southern California counties in the storm's path.
February is typically the wettest month of the year in Los Angeles with downtown LA averaging 3.64 inches of rain for the month. This multi-day storm is expected to bring that amount and possibly more over a 24- to 48-hour period and rival some of the highest rain totals from last year, including the nearly 3 inches of rain produced over two days by the remnants of Tropical Storm Hillary in August.
"If you are not home already, please get home and stay home," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Sunday afternoon.
The significant rainfall threat led to evacuation warnings that went into effect for some flood- and slide-prone areas. Those included the La Tuna Canyon area in the Los Angeles' northern San Fernando Valley.
“Because it’s moving slow, that is the cause for that flooding potential we’ll see here in Southern California," said NBCLA forecaster Shanna Mendiola.
Resources for unhoused residents
Those who are unhoused can head to several winter shelter locations that have opened in Los Angeles. Those who need transportation to the shelters can call 211 for assistance.
The following locations are open for residents who are experiencing homelessness:
- Mid Valley Senior Citizen Center -- 8825 Kester Ave., Panorama City, Calif. 91402
- Lincoln Heights Senior Citizen Center -- 2323 Workman St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90031
- South LA Sports Activity Center -- 7020 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90003
- Oakwood Recreation Center -- 767 California Ave., Venice, Calif. 90291
Safety officials urged unhoused residents to stay away from riverbeds as water levels were expected to rise amid the rainfall.
Impact on schools
Despite the heavy rain, LAUSD schools will remain open, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced Sunday. Vinedale College Preparatory Academy in Sun Valley, which was under an evacuation warning, was set to close on Monday, however. Its students and staff were being moved to Glenwood Elementary.
Students at Topanga Elementary Charter School should report to Woodland Hills Academy.
California State University announced its campuses in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Fullerton will be remote on Monday. CSU Dominguez Hills canceled all classes and in-person activities for Monday, it said in a text sent to students and staff.
Pepperdine University announced classes would be canceled on Monday due to the storm. Graduate schools would communicate with students if their classes will be remote.
