Silverado Canyon: Evacs lifted, but flood watch remains

SILVERADO, Calif. (KABC) -- Voluntary evacuations for Silverado Canyon residents were lifted by mid-morning Wednesday, but a flash-flood watch remained in effect through the night. Sheriff's deputies were set to continue patrolling the canyon as a precaution overnight.

A flash-flood watch was active for the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills, including Silverado Canyon, scheduled to expire at 4 a.m. Thursday.

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The voluntary evacuation had been ordered on Tuesday due to possible mudslides. The order affected about 40 homes east of 30311 Silverado Canyon Rd., where the Silverado Fire scorched approximately 1,000 acres in September, leaving little vegetation to hold water back.

The area received steady rainfall over a 24-hour period Tuesday and Wednesday, but the rain didn't trigger any significant mud or debris flows.

"We're kind of glad up here: No flood, no crud, no mud," said canyon resident Mark Vincent. "There were periods of 10 minutes of rain, and then a lot of time, mist, so yeah, there was water all night but never any hard rains."

K-rails, hay bales and sandbags remained in place Wednesday on the east end of the canyon as further rainfall was expected overnight.

A coastal flood advisory was in effect for Orange County beaches, set to expire at 10 a.m. Thursday.

PHOTOS: Rain sweeps Southland, flooding streets, causing slides