SoCal hit by mudslides, flooding as powerful storm slams region

A major storm system was making its way out of Southern California on Friday morning, but not before dumping several inches of rain in some areas.

Record rainfall was reported in downtown Los Angeles, with 2.8 inches breaking the record for the day of 2.71 inches set in 1954.

According to the National Weather Service, rainfall rates were recorded in some areas at levels as three-quarters of an inch to 1.2 inches per hour -- well above the rate that can typically trigger flooding or debris flows.

The remnants of a powerful storm that slammed Southern California will linger into Friday, but a storm system's heaviest rain has moved out of the region.

In the Hollywood Hills, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported a debris flow that parked 8 inches of mud on Mulholland Drive. No injuries were reported, but crews scrambled to ensure the safety of structures above and below the slide area.

The NWS has described the multi-day storm system as likely to be "the biggest precipitation producer so far this season.''

By the time the storm exits the area on Friday, roughly 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected in most coastal and valley areas, with 3 to 6 inches anticipated in the foothills and mountains.

On Friday at 6 a.m., the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department lifted evacuation warnings for the communities of Wrightwood and Mount Baldy.

The Sheriff's Department also lifted evacuation orders for some areas of the Highland neighborhood along the Line Fire burn scar.

In the Highland community, the evacuation order has been lifted for the neighborhood south of Greenspot Road between Church Street and Merris Street.

An evacuation order has also been lifted for the area of the Highland community "from Church Street east to the foothills north of Highland Avenue and Weaver Street east to the Iron Bridge north of Greenspot Road."

Click here for detailed evacuation zone maps.

The heavy rain forced evacuations and flooded a home in a Highland neighborhood Thursday night, trapping three dogs inside the property.

Mud and debris flowed over Ypsilantha Street as rising flood waters carved through the East Highland neighborhood.

The home became flooded while the homeowners were out of town. Friends of the family who live in the home rushed in to rescue the dogs as the high water reached the home's window.

"He's out in Las Vegas for a cheer competition with his daughter and he wasn't expecting all of this rain," said Ramona Hernandez, a friend of the homeowner.

Those trying to help were ordered to leave because the situation became too dangerous.

"We were able to get one of his dogs inside of the car with my daughter right now but he has two other dogs," Hernandez said. "One's in the house. That dog would not come with me. He kind of snapped. The other one is inside of the garage."

Hernandez said she felt defeated for not being able to reach the dogs.

"The door is so swollen on the bottom half that I couldn't. I tried my best, my husband tried too, to try to open that door. We just couldn't get it open," she said.

Water appeared to recede around the home on Thursday evening, which helped ease some concerns for the dogs' safety.

Friends of the dog's owners hoped to return to the home on Friday to retrieve the animals.

READ MORE HERE

As heavy rain hit Southern California, the roof of a Smart & Final store in Azusa partially collapsed.

The partial collapse happened with shoppers inside the store, but Azusa police says no injuries were reported and everyone was safely evacuated. It's unknown how many people were inside the store at the time.

The incident happened around 5:45 p.m. at the Smart & Final store on Foothill Boulevard.

As heavy rain hit Southern California, the roof of a Smart & Final store in Azusa partially collapsed.