201902.13
0

Meteorologists forecast latest storm in Southern California to be heaviest of the season

by in News

Localized flood warnings and flash flood watches were put into effect for Wednesday evening and Thursday by the National Weather Service as Southern California prepared for what meteorologists said will be the biggest storm of the season, so far.

The region received a taste of rainfall as Riverside County saw between one and two-tenths an inch of rain over the 24-hour period ending Wednesday afternoon. During that period, Orange, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties received similar amounts of rain.

Brief sprinklings were just the appetizer, however, as Dan Gregoria, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego, said he’s expecting between two and three inches in most parts of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, with local downpours reaching heights, or depths, of eight inches.

“Flash flooding could happen late tonight through Thursday in more populated areas,” Gregoria said. “For the Holy fire scar we’re forecasting four inches on the Lake Elsinore side, and further north we expect between six and seven inches of rain.”

Due to the storm forecasts on Wednesday and Thursday, officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for several communities that lie within the Holy fire burn scar in Riverside County. Those communities include Amorose, Alberhill, Glen Eden, Glen Ivy A, Glen Ivy B, Grace, Horsethief A, Horsethief B, Laguna A, Maitri, McVicker A, Rice and Withrow A.

A reception and care center was open for evacuees at Temescal Canyon High School at 28532 El Toro Road in Lake Elsinore.

Voluntary evacuation notices were issued for the communities of Alvarado A, Lakeside A and Laguna B.

Similar evacuation notices were issued for the communities of Hurkey Creek, Apple Canyon, Lake Hemet and Fleming Ranch, all areas affected by the Cranston fire.

Evacuees from communities previously affected by the Cranston fire can go to a care and reception center at Idyllwild School at 26700 Highway 243 in Idyllwild.

Also Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department issued a voluntary evacuation warning for homes in the Holy fire area in Trabuco Creek, Rose Canyon and the Mystic Oaks/El Cariso areas. Officials also announced a 10 p.m. Wednesday closure of Trabuco Canyon Road at Trabuco Creek in advance of the forecast heavy rain.

Gregoria warned those who might be traveling at night to be on the lookout for flooded roads once the rainfall starts.

“When we’re getting into the dark hours rain will get heavier, especially after midnight,” he said. “We have a flash flood watch in effect. When water covers the roads, just turn around. That’s a big concern for us through tomorrow evening.”

Kristen Stewart, a meteorologist with the Los Angeles-area NWS, said the Woolsey fire burn scar will see a solid amount of rain as well.

“We’ll probably get between one-and-a-half to two inches of rain there, since that what I’m seeing for Malibu and surrounding areas,” Stewart said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued instructions to everyone who lives within the Woolsey fire burn scar to be ready at a moment’s notice to evacuate if the storm intensifies.

“The storm may cause mud and rockslides on canyon roads and Pacific Coast Highway,” the department said in a statement.  “Gusty winds from the south may result in fallen trees and/or downed power lines. Motorists are urged to plan ahead and have alternate driving routes in the event of road closures.”

No mandatory or voluntary evacuations were put in place for areas around the Woolsey fire, but the NWS in Los Angeles issued a flash flood watch not only in burn areas, but across all mountainous areas in Los Angeles County.

Gregoria said the upcoming rainfall will likely be the heaviest of the rainy season. He defined Southern California’s rainy season spanning from fall to early spring.

“Normally this is when we get our rain, but this year we’ve been seeing more and more frequent storm systems,” he said. “This is the strongest, so far.”

Brandt Maxwell, a meteorologist with the NWS in San Diego, said the previous largest storm of the season was on Feb. 2, when areas in the Holy fire scar received one to three inches of rain.