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Atmospheric River to Soak Southern California Today, With Flood Watches and Targeted Evacuations

Forecasters warn burn scars face the greatest risk of fast-moving debris flows with rainfall rates near 1 inch an hour.

Overview

  • Flood watches cover roughly 20 million people from Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to Orange, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino, with peak rain expected through Saturday and watches generally ending by 10 p.m.
  • Los Angeles issued evacuation orders for specified high‑risk homes in Pacific Palisades and other burn scars, with orders in effect from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Sunday and evacuation warnings in additional burn‑area neighborhoods such as Altadena.
  • Most locations are forecast to receive 2 to 5 inches of rain, with half‑inch to 1‑inch‑per‑hour bursts possible and a chance of thunderstorms capable of damaging winds, hail and a brief tornado.
  • Authorities activated Los AngelesEmergency Operations Center, Caltrans closed Topanga Canyon Boulevard between PCH and Grand View Drive, and LAFD pre‑positioned teams including a strike group in the Palisades and swift‑water resources in the Valley.
  • Rain tapers to showers Sunday with lower‑impact systems possible early next week, snow levels hover near 8,000 feet before dropping toward 6,000 feet, and forecasters warn of potential flight delays at LAX on Saturday.