Rain accompanied by strong winds doused the Southland today, Dec. 2, raising the risk of flash flooding in much of the region and mudslides in neighborhoods below hillsides denuded by wildfires.
In Pacific Palisades, power lines were knocked down across lanes of travel on Pacific Coast Highway, leading to the closure of the highway at Sunset in both directions. L.A. Department of Water and Power officials suspect that wet weather may have played part in the incident.
As of noon, about 400 people in the Palisades were without power near PCH and Sunset. LADWP officials apologized to customers via a Twitter and said crews were working to fix the problem.
A flash flood watch went into effect at 8 a.m. and will remain in force through late tonight over a wide area that includes beach cities, including Pacific Palisades and metropolitan Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills, L.A County Mountains, Santa Catalina Island, and the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, San Gabriel and Antelope valleys, as well as areas in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. In Orange County, the watch took effect at 9 a.m.
The rain, along with gusty winds, is the result of a Pacific storm system. Forecasters said the storm should drop about 1 to 2 inches of rain along the coast and in valley areas, and 2 to 5 inches in the mountains and foothills.
Rainfall rates of around a half-inch per hour are expected “possibly for several hours, which could produce dangerous flash flooding, with damaging
mud and debris flows,” according to a National Weather Service statement.
“While all recent burn areas will be threatened, areas especially at risk include the Springs, Colby, Powerhouse and Williams burn areas.”
A wind advisory will be in effect in the San Gabriel mountains in Los Angeles and Ventura counties from 2 p.m. today until 3 a.m. Wednesday. Southeast-to-south winds of 25 to 35 mph with 50-mph gusts are expected in the mountains, mainly above 5,000 feet, according to the NWS.
The wind could prove to be a problem for motorists on Interstate 5 in the area of The Grapevine, and on Angeles Crest Highway, especially for the drivers of high-profile vehicles and vehicles towing trailers, according to an NWS statement.
Showers are expected to continue tonight and into Wednesday, according to the NWS. The area is expected to slowly dry out as the week wears on.
STAFF and WIRE SERVICES
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