Cleanup efforts underway after storm dumps heavy rain across SoCal; multiple evac orders lifted

Residents and city officials in Sierra Madre remained on alert Tuesday morning as a strong storm passed through the area, dumping heavy rain at times.

The city was under an evacuation warning due to the potential of damaging mudslides and debris flows during the storm.

Video shows a steady flow of water at the Sierra Madre Canyon Wash, but it did not look deep enough to pose a risk to nearby homes.

Residents and city officials in Sierra Madre remained on alert Tuesday morning as a strong storm passed through the area.

Laura Aguilar, with the city of Sierra Madre, said they were still encouraging residents to exercise caution.

"There have been some significant rainfalls overnight that created some mud and debris flows in our canyon areas.. Those are the areas that are mostly impacted by the burn scar from the Eaton Fire that burned our hillsides earlier this year. So we've asked the residents to evacuate or shelter in place."

A mandatory evacuation order was issued Tuesday morning for the Airport Fire burn scar area in Orange County as a major storm prompted fears of possible mudflows and flash flooding.

The order went into effect at 10 a.m. for Trabuco Creek, Bell and Hot Springs Canyons due to possible debris flows, according to ocgov.com. The mandatory evacuation zone included the RC Airport, fire station, campground/park and school; Starr Ranch; and Hot Springs Canyon including Lazy-W Ranch.

Meanwhile, Modjeska and Long canyons remained under voluntary evacuation warnings.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the burn scar area from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. as a major storm marched across the region.

Anyone with disabilities and those with access and/or functional needs requiring evacuation assistance were urged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department Dispatch at (714) 647-7000.

To report storm-related issues with a County road or flood control channel, call the Orange County Public Works Storm Center at (714) 955-0333 during flash flood events and emergencies when OC Public Works' Department Operations Center is activated.

OC Animal Care at 1630 Victory Road in Tustin was accepting dogs, cats and other small pets for people under evacuation orders. A large animal shelter was established at the Orange County Fair Grounds, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

Trabuco Canyon's O'Neill Regional Park was also closed due to the storm.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday morning extended a severe thunderstorm warning for an area of Los Angeles County stretching from Santa Monica to Santa Clarita, as the threat of a possible tornado in the area loomed.

The warning had been scheduled to expire at 9:30 a.m. but was extended to 10:45 a.m. as a major storm continued to make its way across the region, at a rate of about 40 mph. Gusts of up to 60 mph were possible, according to the agency.

Residents in the affected area were told to expect possible damage to roofs, siding and trees.

The National Weather Service extended a severe thunderstorm warning for an area of Los Angeles County stretching from Santa Monica to Santa Clarita.

"Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms," the Weather Service said in a statement. "If you spot a tornado go at once into a small central room in a sturdy structure. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building."

The locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm warning included:

Acton
North Hollywood
Hollywood
Downtown Los Angeles
Van Nuys
Universal City
Burbank
Beverly Hills
Santa Monica
Griffith Park
Culver City
Venice
Encino
Santa Clarita
Pasadena
Altadena
Sylmar
Glendale
Studio City
and Interstate 405 through the Sepulveda Pass.

A severe thunderstorm watch was extended for parts of Los Angeles County Tuesday morning as heavy rain and winds batter the region.

The watch was previously set to be in effect until 9 a.m., but it was extended to 11 a.m. as severe weather continues.

The impacted areas include East Los Angeles, Glendale, Long Beach, Pasadena, Pomona, Santa Clarita and Torrance.

A severe thunderstorm watch was extended for parts of Los Angeles County Tuesday morning as heavy rain drenched much of the region.