Southern California was battered by a sudden storm on Tuesday with winds averaging up to 60 mph and downpour of more than 4 inches recorded in Los Angeles.
More thunderstorms and cooler air from the Alaskan coast were expected to continue through Wednesday, further saturating hillsides and increasing the threat of mudslides
Residents were ordered to evacuate about 50 homes in one section of the San Bernardino County town of Devore, 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
“The reservoirs are starting to get some stream flow so that should help bring levels up. The rains are also helping with groundwater. This storm will definitely help. We had storms in October and now this, so this is a really good start to the year. Hopefully it continues. Though, not too bad, we don't want flooding,” said a weather specialist for the National Weather Service.
The storm rolled ashore Monday in northern California, and police said it may have contributed to the death of a young man.
Highway flooding caused traffic accidents on Tuesday in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Rockslides and mudslides littered many canyon roads.
Up to 8 inches of rain had fallen by dawn Tuesday in Ventura County, and meteorologists said up to 12 inches of rain was possible in the mountains above Santa Barbara. Ten inches of rain was predicted in the mountains and foothills surrounding the Los Angeles basin.
As much as a foot of snow had fallen in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles. Farther north, 2 to 4 feet of snow was possible at higher elevations of the eastern Sierra Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area.
On Monday, San Francisco was hit by more than 3 inches of rain, delaying flights at San Francisco's airport.
