The storm that has drenched Southern California with persistent rain is forecast to expand Monday afternoon, Feb. 5 — to create threats of additional flooding, closed roads and downed trees.
Authorities reported traffic collisions and water rescues as a result of the storm, which is affecting Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
The storm mass was centered Monday morning, Feb. 5, over L.A. County.
“It’s been pretty much parked there for the past 12 hours or so,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist in the Los Angeles/Oxnard office of the National Weather Service.
Kittell said the storm would remain over L.A.. County and grow over Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. He said there would be “very few breaks, if any” in the storm until Tuesday morning.
By Tuesday afternoon, showers and thunderstorms were expected.
The hardest-hit areas have been the foothills of L.A. and Santa Barbara counties. The fire station in Topanga had received 10.38 inches of rain since Sunday, Kittell said. Downtown Los Angeles had received 5.34 inches in that period.
Two days ago, the Weather Service was predicting that Santa Barbara County would get the most rain, but Kittell said Los Angeles County is now in line to receive the most.
The storm was also expected to expand into San Diego County.
In San Bernardino County, the middle fork of Lytle Creek had received 7.22 inches in the 24 hours before 4:30 a.m. Monday. Orange County Reservoir received 2.51, Anaheim 1.42, Huntington Beach 1.26, Santiago Peak 2.68, Cal State San Bernardino 2.76, Ontario International Airport 1.91, Prado Dam 1.24, Banning Bench 0.23 and March Air Reserve Base 0.43.
In Devore, San Bernardino County firefighters overnight rescued three people from a tree after their car became submerged.
Kittell urged drivers to allow extra time for their trips and to not attempt to drive through high water.
Flash flood warnings have been issued in some areas, including the San Bernardino Mountains communities of Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and Running Springs.
Some Metrolink trains were running 30 minutes behind Monday because of the weather.
Bear Valley Unified School District schools were closed.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
Related Articles
LAUSD schools to remain open on Monday amid storm
Several Cal State campuses make Monday classes remote because of storm
Ship wrecks into Long Beach breakwater, temporarily stranding 19 people
Cal State Fullerton makes Monday classes remote because of storm
Emergency declared as Southern California storm is called potentially catastrophic and life-threatening