Storm clears Monday night in SoCal, leaving behind flooding and mudslides

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - The sun broke through clouds Monday in parts of the Southland as the tail end of a powerful storm moved through the region and continued to threaten more downpours and possible thunderstorms that could lead to flash flooding.

But with the rain threat seeming to dwindle as the house passed, evacuation orders were lifted near burn areas in Santa Clarita and Duarte.

National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Bruno said much of Monday was likely to be "rain-free,'' but there was still a chance of sporadic downpours before the storm system clears out Monday night. A flash flood watch will remain in effect until 6 p.m. in most of Los Angeles County, and until 10 p.m. in parts of Orange County.

As of midday, about 9,000 customers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power were without power as a result of storm-related damages. Service had been restored to about 8,400 other DWP customers since Sunday. Southern California Edison reported outages affecting 3,019 customers in Los Angeles County and 1,943 more in Orange County.

Evacuation orders were lifted Monday morning for 120 homes in the Santa Clarita area near the site of the Sand Fire in July. Evacaution orders were lifted at 2 p.m. for 180 homes in Duarte near the site of the Fish Fire in June.

Several National Weather Service warnings were in effect beside the flash flood watch affecting Los Angeles and
Orange counties. A winter storm warning denoting highly challenging travel conditions will be in effect until 6 p.m., a small craft advisory pointing to hazardous sailing conditions will expire at 6 Tuesday morning, a high surf advisory will be in force until 6 p.m. Tuesday, and a high surf warning will be in effect in Orange County until 10 p.m. Tuesday.

The NWS said powerful wind gusts rocked the Southland Monday morning, including 50 mph at Lake Palmdale in the Antelope Valley, 48 mph at Mill Creek in the San Gabriel Mountains, 45 mph at Topanga in the Santa Monica Recreational Mountain Area, 44 mph at the Port of Los Angeles, 37 mph at Malibu Canyon and on Santa Catalina Island, and 27 mph in Saugus in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Dangerous conditions characterized by waves of up to 18 feet were reported in the Pacific Ocean while heavy snow accumulation was occurring in the San Gabriel Mountains, where the winter storm warning denoted highly challenging travel conditions.

The snow level is expected to drop to around 4,000 feet, which may result in accumulating snow on The Grapevine, possibly resulting in a closure of Interstate 5 near the Tejon Pass.

The NWS summed up the raft of weather challenges the region is facing Monday as a result of the storm, the third in a series of three that began last week, this way:

"Potential impacts include the possibility of flash flooding for all areas due to heavy downpours and isolated thunderstorms, debris flows for recent burn areas, rock and mudslides along canyon roads, urban and small stream flooding, significant travel delays, downed trees and isolated power outages, and dangerous winter driving conditions in the mountains.''

Along the coast, high surf generated by storms over recent days will continue to batter beaches through Tuesday, NWS forecasters said. As a result, there will continue to be beach erosion, dangerous rip currents, and sneaker waves that can suddenly knock people of jetties and rocks, according to the NWS.

"Those planning to visit the coast during this time should use extreme caution on area beaches -- stay well back from the water, stay off of jetties and rocks, and never turn your back on the ocean,'' according to the NWS. "Much larger waves called sneaker waves may wash onshore suddenly without warning.''

Out in the ocean, "a period of very dangerous sea conditions is expected for mariners through today,'' a statement said. Large seas are expected, with 10-18 foot waves for the outer waters and along the Central Coast, and 8-12 foot waves for the inner waters south of Point Conception.

"Seas this large may result in dangerous breaking waves near shore which can capsize boats,'' the statement said, adding that the Morro Bay and Ventura harbor entrances, in San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, respectively, "will be especially treacherous.''

There is also "a slight chance of thunderstorms (at sea), along with the possibility of isolated waterspouts.,'' the statement said, adding that "mariners without proper experience should seek safe harbor, or remain in port, prior to the onset of hazardous conditions.''

In the San Gabriels, 12 to 18 inches of snow are expected to accumulate above 7,000 feet, and, by Monday night, 1-2 inches at 4,000 feet, which likely will leave I-5 covered, according to the NWS. At the same time, fierce winds will lash away in the mountains, with gusts of more than 70 mph likely.

"Icy conditions with low visibility from blowing snow, and fog, will make for dangerous mountain driving conditions,'' the statement said.

Windy conditions were also reported in the Antelope Valley, where a wind advisory was scheduled to be in force until 9 a this morning. The wind is expected to blow at 20-30 mph, with 50-mph gusts, forecasters said. No other wind advisories were in effect this morning.

On Sunday, an all-time rainfall record of of 3.97 inches was set at Long beach Airport, besting the record of 3.75 inches set Jan. 4, 1995. At Los Angeles International Airport, a record of 2.94 inches was established, beating the record set in 1983 by a full inch.

Heavy rain also fell in other communities: 3.35 inches in Redondo Beach, 3.30 inches at the San Gabriel Dam, 2.64 inches in Whittier and 2.15 inches in downtown Los Angeles. In Orange County, Yorba Linda received 3.59 inches of rain, Garden Grove 3.55 inches, Huntington Beach 2.95, Santa Ana 2.75, Fullerton Airport 2.66 and Corona del Mar 1.18 inches.

Forecasters said temperatures will be about the same amid partly cloudy skies Tuesday, then rise 3-5 degrees under sunny skies Wednesday. Sunny conditions will persist several days.

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