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

The National Weather Service (NWS) has upgraded parts of Southern California to "high risk" for excessive rainfall and flash flooding on Christmas Eve.

The greatest risk is across wildfire burn scar areas, with mudslides and debris flows possible.

Portions of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties are facing a significant flash flood threat on Wednesday.

The "high risk" area is just north of the city of Los Angeles and includes places like Burbank, Altadena, Glendale, San Bernardino, Santa Clarita and Thousand Oaks.

The NWS says the threat of widespread, life-threatening flash flooding is increasing in the region. Officials say it's rare to be under a "high risk" level 4/4 storm, with the risk only issued about 4% of days and accounting for one-third of all flood-related fatalities and 80% of all flood-related damages.

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.