Heavy rain drenched Los Angeles County and was still underway in Orange County and the Inland Empire, with some areas likely to be hit by flash floods, officials said.
National Weather meteorologist Ryan Kittel said that as of 7 a.m. on Tuesday, December 14, the heaviest rain had been absorbed in the San Fernando Valley and LA County mountains and foothills, with some areas already receiving more than three inches of rain. Was being Service.
Most areas of Los Angeles County were receiving half an inch to an inch and a half of rain by 7 a.m., but the San Fernando Valley had nearly doubled those totals, Kittel said.
Flash-flood watches were in effect in areas with burn scars, including past bobcats and the Ranch 3 fires above Monrovia and Azusa, Kittel said, holding up very well on Tuesday morning in those areas because Rain totals were “just under”. (flash-flooded) trigger point to receive warnings.”
Elsewhere, the western part of the Inland Empire was seeing heavy rainfall, while Orange County was beginning to see the heaviest rain of the day, Dan Gregoria, another NWS meteorologist, said.
Gregoria said western Riverside County had received three-quarters of an inch of rain as of 7 a.m., while other areas of the Inland Empire and Orange County had received one-third to one-half inch of rain. Although the heaviest rain is about to fall and upwards of six-tenths of an inch of rain per hour is forecast, Gregoria said meteorologists have a flash-flood watch for those entire two regions.
“All I would say is, especially for motorists during the morning commute, take it easy,” Gregoria said. “We’re seeing some strong winds there, so be especially cautious on the roadway.”
There was some snowfall at altitudes above 6,000 feet, but estimates were not immediately available.
Although Grapevine is yet to be hit by snow, Gregoria said an inch or two of snow is likely to fall in the mountain pass in the late afternoon or evening.
No major damage was reported by the local police agencies till 7.30 am, but debris was feared in some areas.
In Monrovia, an evacuation warning was issued Monday night in areas of Ridgeside Drive and Oakglade Drive due to fears of mudflows from areas with burn marks, officials said. Monrovia Canyon Park and Hillside Wilderness Preserve were closed until further notice. Officials said sandbags were available to residents at Recreation Park, 620 S Shamrock Avenue.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
