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The new year is getting off to a soggy start for parts of Southern California, with “periods of moderate to heavy rain” expected in the morning before giving the region a break by afternoon and into Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Flood advisories were in effect in the western parts of L.A. County, and areas from Malibu to Burbank to Santa Clarita to Culver City were told they could experience flooding.
But it won’t last long. “Friday will mainly be dry before another system brings rain back to the area Saturday off and on into early next week,” according to the service.
Despite the storm system being less severe than last week’s, the ground and roads are already saturated, meaning there’s still a risk of mudslides, rock slides and other hazards, officials warned. A stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard was closed.
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A flood watch remains in effect in some SoCal areas, so avoid the roads if you can until the skies clear and authorities offer this warning for drivers: “Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
L.A. County has already issued evacuation warnings for burn scar areas, including in parts of Altadena and Pacific Palisades.
Rainfall projections
It’s supposed to be one of the wettest New Year’s Days in decades, according to the National Weather Service. Here are the projected rain levels:
- Los Angeles: 1.53 inches
- Oxnard: 1.00 inches
- Santa Barbara: 0.80 inches
- San Luis Obispo: 0.57 inches
As another storm heads towards Southern California, the National Weather Service shared New Year’s Day rain facts.
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Courtesy of the National Weather Service
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The storm is predicted to rain on Pasadena’s Rose Parade — the first time since 2006.
Snow levels through New Year’s Day are expected to remain above 8,500 feet, then drop to around 7,500 feet on Friday.
Evacuations and closures
Due to the increased hazard of mudslides and debris flows, evacuation warnings are in place in burn zones across L.A. County, including Palisades and Eaton fire areas.
Sign up for L.A. County’s emergency alerts for notifications here.
Traffic conditions
Officials urge drivers to avoid the roads as much as possible. If you must travel, drivers should plan for possible road flooding and closures.
See latest road conditions in Southern California
Forecast
This atmospheric river is expected to slightly weaker than last week’s, but take this latest round of storms seriously. The ground is already saturated which means we’re at a higher risk for downed trees, rockslides and mudslides.
Understanding National Weather Service warnings
Here’s an excerpt from our guide to understanding flood warnings, if any are issued:
- Flood advisories are how the NWS begins to raise the alarm. The goal is to give people enough time to take action.
- Flood watches are your indicators to get prepared to move.
- A flood warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. When one is issued for your area, you need to get to higher ground immediately.
- A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is coming or in progress. Flash floods are sudden and violent floods that can start within minutes.
Read more: Flash Flood Warnings? Watches? Here’s What You Need To Know
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Tips for driving in the rain
Advice on driving in the rain:
- Check weather and road conditions all along your planned route.
- Slow down.
- Keep a wider-than-usual distance between your vehicle and the one in front.
- Don’t drive through standing water — as little as 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and two feet can carry away SUVs and trucks.
- Make sure tires are fully inflated.
- Check windshield wiper blades and replace if necessary.
Read more: What you should do if you end up driving in a flooded area
Downed tree, power line or flooded road?
Dial 911 in an emergency.
However, if you need to report a flooded road or a downed tree, you can call the following non-emergency numbers:
- L.A. city: Dial 311 for a flooded road or downed tree. Call 9-1-1 if you see a downed power line.
- L.A. County: (800) 675-HELP
- Ventura County: (805) 384-1500
- Orange County: (714) 955-0200 or visit here.
If you’re in L.A. County and need sand bags, you can find some at local fire houses.
Staying safe when the winds are high
- Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
- Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh. Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they may pose a fire hazard.
- If you’re in a vehicle with a fallen power line on it, stay in the vehicle and remain calm until help arrives. It is OK to use your cellphone to call 911. If you must leave the vehicle, exit away from downed power lines and jump from the vehicle, landing with both feet together. You must not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Then proceed away from the vehicle by shuffling and not picking up your feet until you are several yards away.
- Water and electricity don’t mix. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Do not step in or enter any water that a downed power line may be touching.
- Do not use any equipment indoors that is designed for outdoor heating or cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
- If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using a heavy-duty extension cord. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.
- Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of ice inside to help keep food cold. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage.
- Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is safe.
Tips on staying warm
- State law requires residential units to have heating systems that can keep indoor temperatures at a minimum of 70 degrees. That means every dwelling unit and guest room offered for rent or lease should offer heating equipment.
- Use heat smartly to save money: Cranking heaters can be expensive. If money is tight, be judicious about how and when you use your utilities. For example, only use heaters at night or only set the thermostat to around 70 degrees.
- Open and close those vents: If you have central A/C, look at where the vents are around your home. Are any open in places where you don’t stay long? Practice opening and closing those so warm air only goes where you need it (most vents should have a small toggle lever). Humidifiers can also help you warm things up — and it’s useful to add moisture into our dry air.
- Adjust your wall heaters: If you have a wall heater, you can change the output by adjusting the knob (usually at the bottom). Since wall heaters can only warm the areas where they’re placed, it’s essential to close doors to rooms you won’t be in so hot air doesn’t get wasted.
- Turn on your ceiling fan (really): If you have a ceiling fan, try turning it on. This sounds counterintuitive, but there’s science behind it. TSince hot air floats up, your fan can help move it around. For warming, your fan should spin clockwise to create an updraft. Not all fans will have this option.
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How we’re reporting on this
This is a developing story. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources (think fire, police, government officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, however, we make mistakes or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.
