While Monday's storm system brought scattered showers across the Southland, many residents in recent burn areas are preparing for the impending rainfall ahead, threatening to unleash a stream of mud and debris.
Rainfall totals Monday were expected to be between a 10th and a third of an inch. However, Tuesday's storm could bring an average of 2 inches of rain in coastal and valley areas, and 2 to 4 inches in the foothills and mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
Rainfall totals could exceed a half-inch an hour over recent burn areas facing the highest risks for damage.
In Ventura County, where a popular corridor along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway is still recovering from a fire that swept through the Solimar Beach community, residents are gearing up, shoveling dirt and securing sandbags and guard rails.
The fire, which broke out less than two weeks ago, scorched a hillside of dry brush and jumped the 101 Freeway, forcing nearly 60 residents to evacuate.
In preparation for the El Nino-related storms, CalTrans added rails and concrete barriers along a quarter mile stretch of the 101 Freeway to help block potential mudslides.
In Glendora, police announced that the alert for residents in the area below the Colby Fire site has been raised to yellow, meaning street parking is restricted and roadways must be cleared. In Azusa, officials were handing out sandbags.
U.S. & World
According to the NWS, two stronger storms will impact the area on Tuesday and Wednesday, with strong winds and periods of heavy precipitation. Up to 2 feet of snow is possible during this period. NWS said.
To find a sandbag station in Los Angeles County, view this interactive map.
City News Service contributed to this report.
