Widespread, prolonged heavy rains on Friday overwhelmed watersheds across much of southern California. The L.A. Basin and Santa Ynez Range were particularly hard hit. What’s the next target in this stormy Pacific pattern?
Recap Of Friday’s Rain
Rainfall amounts of 3-6 inches were common on the eastern side of the L.A. Basin on Friday, including the Santa Barbara area. Rainfall totals were reduced to the east and south, but 1-3 inches still fell in just a few hours. Many if not most waterways quickly approached or exceeded dangerous flood levels. Major roads and highways were closed due to flooding as well as mud and debris slides. The years-long drought is now a distant memory for most of the area, but locals might have hoped for a more gradual demise.
Santa Barbara Arpt closed due to #flooding for 1st time since 1998. 4″+ rain today sets Feb. record. HT @KEYTNC3: https://t.co/7iAtsSc746 pic.twitter.com/M8s4Nrf5em
— Jonathan Erdman (@wxjerdman) February 18, 2017
Watch as big rig pushes through high floodwaters on 5 Freeway in Sun Valley https://t.co/qzaRWgdzgb pic.twitter.com/OE4FAJhefz
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 18, 2017
The heavy rain was accompanied by very strong winds with gusts exceeding 50 mph in the city and 80 mph in the nearby mountains. Many trees were toppled by the combination of high winds and waterlogged, weakened soil, leading to thousands of power outages.
Winds whipping out there. Tree down in Duarte where flash flood warning in effect til 5:15. Send your weather pics & video w/#abc7eyewitness pic.twitter.com/8Ym3VgMGtm
— Jory Rand (@ABC7Jory) February 17, 2017
The Next Storm
Another heavy storm looms over the Pacific, poised to slam into the West coast late Sunday through Tuesday (see graphic below). The main target would appear to be northern California, sparing residents of southern California now transitioning to clean-up mode. However, more heavy rains in the north could threaten to breach the still-sensitive Oroville Dam just days after emergency repairs were finished. We’ll keep you informed through the Morecast app as well as our Twitter and Facebook feeds. Stay safe out there!
