A series of back-to-back storms has dropped significant rain across Southern California, triggering the risk of mudslides, flooding and debris flows in recent burn scar areas.
The possibility of scattered showers were forecast through Friday evening in many parts of the region.
The bulk of the storm moved through Southern California early Thursday amid evacuation warnings.
As a late-winter storm brings rain to Southern California, evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in recent wildfire burn areas in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Official interactive maps show where evacuations are in effect, including the areas impacted by the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Airport fires.
Los Angeles County officials issued evacuation warnings and "address specific" evacuation orders in places vulnerable to mudslides, including recent burn areas. Those orders remained in effect Thursday.
Orange County Public Information Map: Click here to see where OC evacuations are in effect.
A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for areas near the Airport Fire burn scar.
The areas under mandatory evacuation include: Trabuco Creek, Hot Springs Canyon and Bell Canyon. The order will be in effect starting at 6 p.m.
Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon remain under an evacuation warning.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced Wednesday morning that Los Angeles' Emergency Operations Center has been activated to a Level 2.
The city has set up concrete barriers to stem mudflows, prepositioned fire department search and rescue teams and LADWP crews are on standby to respond to power outages, according to a statement from the city.
"What concerns me is the fact that the storms might be real intense for short periods of time," Bass said. "I know the police department was in Palisades door knocking to very specific residents who need to evacuate."
Bass urged Angelenos to be prepared.
"While we prepare for another storm headed towards L.A., I want to urge Angelenos to stay vigilant, especially in burn scar areas," Bass said in a statement. "My number one job is to keep Angelenos safe, so please heed all evacuation warnings, stay vigilant and stay informed."
Pacific Palisades residents are watching, waiting and hoping for the best with the incoming storm.
"I worry about it, but I try not to consume my thoughts with every single thing that can go wrong," Pacific Palisades resident Nicole Burgess said. "I'm hoping the worst has already happened."
City News Service contributed to this report.
A voluntary evacuation warning went into effect Wednesday morning in the area of the Airport Fire burn scar due to possible flash flooding and debris flows, Orange County authorities said.
The warning officially began at 10 a.m. for residents in Trabuco Creek including the RC Airport, campground, and school; Bell Canyon including Starr Ranch; Hot Springs Canyon including Lazy-W Ranch; and the Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon areas, according to the O.C. Sheriff's Department.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the burn scar area for Wednesday at 10 p.m. through Thursday at 6 p.m. for the expected storm.
"Canyon residents are strongly encouraged to prepare and voluntarily evacuate on Wednesday, March 12 at 10 am, especially those with disabilities, access and/or functional needs, and canyon residents with large animals," the Sheriff's Department said in a statement. "The public is warned that heavy rain, subsequent flooding and debris flows are possible. Evacuation routes can quickly become impassable due to mud, debris or flooding.
"Residents with large animals should follow their personal plans to move their animals before the rainfall arrives," the statement added.
Persons with disabilities and those with access and/or functional needs requiring assistance in evacuating were urged to call the sheriff's dispatch center at (714) 647-7000.
While Trabuco Canyon Road at Trabuco Creek remained open for public use, there was a potential for a road closure at that location as a public safety measure if conditions worsen, authorities said.
A shelter location for evacuated residents of the canyons opened Wednesday morning at the Foothill Ranch Library Program Annex, is directly adjacent to the Foothill Ranch Library located at 27002 Cabriole Way in Foothill Ranch.
Evacuation warnings remained in effect Wednesday in the Highland area as a storm's most powerful round was set to wallop Southern California.
The warnings were issued at 5 p.m. Tuesday for the neighborhood south of Greenspot Road, between Church Street and Merris Street; and from Church Street east to the foothills north of Highland Avenue, and Weaver Street east to the Iron Bridge north of Greenspot Road.
"Authorities continue to monitor storm conditions," the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said on social media. "Residents in the following areas should remain prepared to evacuate if necessary."
Residents were urged to visit prepare.sbcounty.gov for resources and safety tips.
Sand and sandbags were also available at San Bernardino County fire stations on a first-come, first-served basis. Find locations at sbcfire.org/sandbags.
