Los Angeles to see more rain next week, prompting more mudslide concerns

LOS ANGELES - After rain earlier in the week, Southern California is bracing for another round of storms next week, again raising concerns of mudslides in the areas impacted by the recent wildfires.

What we know:

The National Weather Service says there is "growing potential for a strong storm" starting Wednesday next week, continuing with lingering showers into Friday.

The NWS said there is a "moderate" risk of heavy rain, flooding and debris flows.

The area surrounding the Palisades Fire burn scar has already suffered some mudslides after rain last week.

Overnight Saturday, another mudslide covered all lanes of PCH just north of Big Rock Drive. The road was closed at the time of the mudslide, and will remain closed in both directions between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace as Caltrans works to clear the mudslide.

Malibu officials said that residents and contractors who were allowed access on PCH in the area will not be able to get through the closure.

The backstory:

Recent rains have already caused problems, particularly in the area of the Palisades Fire burn scar, with several mudslides on PCH, but no major damage. 

One home on Castellammare Drive in Malibu split in half just a few weeks after the Palisades Fire started. After recent rains, debris slid down the hillside, damaging the house even more.

What they're saying:

Experts explained that the mudslide risks are increased because of the fires. 

"We say that after the fire has passed over, the soil becomes hydrophobic. It does not want to absorb the water," said geotechnical engineer Marty Hudson. "Therefore, all of this rain hitting immediately goes down slope."