SoCal communities left with mud, damage after days of wet weather

Caltrans will close a 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive due to expected heavy rainstorms and potential debris flows.

The closure for the road, also known at State Route 27, will begin at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

"Caltrans crews will monitor and reassess road conditions daily as long as it is safe to do so," Caltrans said in a statement. "There is no estimated time for reopening SR-27, but it is likely to remain closed at least through Friday."

Pacific Coast Highway will remain open through the Palisades Fire recovery work zone, which is from Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace. Crews will be positioned in areas that are most susceptible to debris flows.

Officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department issued an evacuation warning on Monday afternoon for residents in the Palisades Fire area from 11 a.m. Tuesday until 11 p.m. Thursday due to the risk of debris flow.

"Houses in the warning area with high risk will be visited by LAPD to issue specific evacuation orders," an LAFD alert stated.

See a list of all evacuation warnings and orders for Los Angeles here.

Residents in the Malibu area are bracing for heavy rain as a Christmas week storm is set to arrive in Southern California on Tuesday.

A Flood Watch has been issued for most of the greater Los Angeles area, starting Tuesday at 4 p.m. through Friday at 4 p.m. - and there's a possibility that it could be extended.

"The potential is definitely there for a couple of mudslides and debris flows, particularly in areas that have seen wildfires in recent history," said Kyle Wheeler, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Residents are being asked to stay vigilant and avoid any unnecessary travel during the storm.

Read more here.

A Flood Watch is in place for most of the greater Los Angeles area starting Tuesday at 4 p.m. through Friday at 4 p.m.

Southern California is preparing for four days of rain expected to begin Tuesday, and the biggest concern is what happens late Tuesday night into Wednesday. That's when rain could fall fast enough to flood streets, overwhelm storm drains and trigger mud or debris flows, especially near hillsides and burn scar areas.

If you live near a hillside, a burn area or a street that floods easily, now is the time to get sandbags, clear storm drains and think about where water tends to go around your home.

Read more here.