Intense Rain Targets Southern California

A powerful storm system is unleashing torrential rain on Southern California, affecting over 22 million residents on Saturday. This deluge raises the risk of dangerous flash floods, mudslides, and shifting debris.

Current Weather Developments

The initial wave of rain struck early Saturday morning, with a subsequent, more intense bout anticipated between late morning and mid-afternoon.

Rainfall intensity might surpass an inch per hour, while sporadic thunderstorms could deliver strong gusts, lightning, and possible hail showers.

Flash flood alerts extend across Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Riverside, and San Diego counties, enduring until Saturday evening. The regions of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara are under a considerable risk of severe rainfall and sudden flooding events.

Vulnerability in Fire-Scarred Regions

Areas previously ravaged by wildfires are particularly vulnerable, as they are highly susceptible to rapid floods, mudslides, and debris flows. However, the threat extends beyond these scarred landscapes to include much of Southern California.

Certain high-risk locations with burn scars have received evacuation advisories, whereas stricter evacuation mandates have been imposed in specific zones especially prone to mudslides and debris shifts.

Safety Measures During Flash Flooding

Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties' mountainous areas are forecasted to receive substantial rainfall ranging from 4 to 6 inches. Comparatively, Los Angeles typically sees roughly 0.8 inches throughout the entire month of November.

Weather Outlook for the Upcoming Days

While the heavy rainfall will taper off by Saturday night, an unstable weather pattern is expected to persist into early next week. This may bring additional precipitation, keeping flash floods, debris flows, landslides, and mudslide concerns alive as they pose a continued threat over the saturated and delicate regions.