Cleanup efforts underway across Southern California ahead of another storm

As a major storm moved into Southern California, a massive tree fell over onto a residential street overnight Friday in Lake Balboa, crushing an unoccupied sedan that was parked curbside.

No injuries were reported. The 7300 block of Oak Park Avenue remained closed Saturday morning as the cleanup operation got underway in the neighborhood just north of Sherman Way.

The National Weather Service urged homeowners to ensure gutters are cleared and windshield wipers are secure and working. They said people should consider rescheduling outdoor events, and advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded areas.

As a major storm moved into Southern California, a massive tree fell over onto a residential street in Lake Balboa, crushing an unoccupied sedan that was parked curbside.

"Avoid the roads, stay indoors as much as possible, and stay aware of your environment," forecasters said. "If you have to drive, allow extra time as traffic will be increased due to slippery roads, low visibility, and localized flooding. If you are near a burn scar, heed the advice of local officials as they know your area best. Reschedule and avoid outdoor activities. If you are outside and hear thunder, see lightning, experience sudden wind shifts, or a sudden increase in rain intensity, head indoors immediately and stay away from windows. Stay out of, and far away from, any streams, rivers, and canyons -- especially campers. Avoid parking near tall trees. Be ready for sudden power outages. Boaters, please stay in a safe harbor. For everyone, stay tuned to your local news outlet and weather.gov for any updates."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department issued a statement earlier this week, urging people to be prepared, offering a series of tips:

• Drive carefully, slow down and allow extra stopping distance
• Avoid flooded roads, turn around, wait it out
• Prepare your property by gathering sand bags and checking gutters and drains
• Check the condition of your vehicle and replace windshield wipers and tires if needed

There were no reports of major debris flows on Friday night, but evacuation orders were issued for homes near the Palisades burn scar as a precaution.

Heavy downpours overnight pose a significant threat to the Palisades Fire burn area. Dozens of homes are under evacuation orders.

As of Friday night, there were no major debris flows or damage reported yet, but as a precaution, the city of Los Angeles issued evacuation orders for a number of individual homes near the Palisades Fire burn scar.

"Due to the increased risk of mud and debris flow, the city has issued an evacuation order for specific properties considered vulnerable to safety risks, with a significant portion of those properties contained within the Pacific Palisades burn zone," Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at a press conference with other city leaders.

It's been an ongoing struggle for the Pacific Palisades and Malibu since the January wildfires. Evacuation warnings turned into orders for 126 L.A. residents -- mainly near the Palisades burn scar -- and now, some residents are fed up.

"It's becoming an unlivable situation. We just can't keep going back to hotels," resident Diane Blake said.

The order is in effect for a number of homes near the burn scars from Friday night until 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Burned areas above the Pacific Coast Highway have been covered with tarps placed over hills to prevent mudslides.

Friday's storm caused a driver to lose control, crashing int,o a power pole causing it to snap on Kanan Dume Road, which ended up blocking key lanes on the four-lane road.

LAFD Captain Erik Scott says everyone needs to treat downed power lines like they are energized

"We want people to consider them energized and potentially lethal and be cognizant, too, that puddles of water, chain link fences, can all be energized and make that current go a lot farther," Scott said.

People in the Altadena evacuation zones are on high alert in a year where fires took almost everything.

As heavy rain pushes through Southern California, there are individual homes under mandatory evacuation orders in some areas, while many more people in burn scars, like the Eaton Fire, are under evacuation warnings.

That means people need to be prepared to leave.

People in the Altadena evacuation zones are on high alert in a year where fires took almost everything in the area. Many residents are hoping things don't get even worse with damaging debris flows.

Crews from the public works department set up K-rails along some of the steepest declines in the Altadena area, trying to prevent debris from washing over the roads.

The general Altadena area is under an evacuation warning, but residents in about 20 specific homes are being asked to leave now.

Eyewitness News was there as sheriff's deputies went door-to-door, asking residents to leave.

In total, 126 specific residences -- mainly near the Palisades Fire burn scar -- are under evacuation orders.

Traipsing through a pitch black, soaking rain, deputies in Altadena made the rounds to the most vulnerable homes.

At homes where no one answered, the team taped notices to the doors.

At least one of the Altadena homes under mandatory evacuation, an X painted on the sidewalk indicates it's already been damaged in the Eaton Fire.

"At the top of these hills, it doesn't seem that bad, but it's only going to get worse, so we're trying to get everyone out as soon as we can," said Deputy David Amic.

With little margin for error for homes bordering the Eaton Fire burn scar, deputies made three trips, trying to make contact with every homeowner.

"We were here twice, actually, around noon, 5 p.m. and now... because it's important for the residents to know that 'Hey, the mudflow is going to get heavy. It's expected.' And it's going to be hard for them to exit the residence because of the debris," Deputy Rolando Iglesias said.

Just next door, the neighbors are in slightly safer territory. But only slightly.

"I saw the evacuation order, but I think we're OK," said Arsen Andreasyan. "We worked on the mountain a lot to redirect the water, so I feel like we're OK."

As the rain picks up and soaks deeper into the burnt soil, homeowners and deputies are preparing for the possibility of the ground shifting under homes and over roads.

With heavy rain in the forecast this weekend, Evacuation Warnings are in place for several San Bernardino County communities, according to CAL FIRE.

With heavy rain in the forecast this weekend, Evacuation Warnings are in place for several San Bernardino County communities, according to CAL FIRE.

An Evacuation Warning is in place for the following communities:

• Mount Baldy Village
• Northeast Yucaipa
• East Highland
• Wrightwood
• Seven Oaks
• Forest Falls

Inland Empire residents living near the Bridge Fire burn area around Mount Baldy are concerned about violent debris flows.

Last year's Bridge Fire scorched hillsides, leaving them barren and unstable.

The National Weather Service is predicting rainfall totals to exceed last year's. The biggest concern for crews is how quickly heavy rain can turn unstable burn scars into mudslides.

K-rail was placed in the area to stop any debris that might come down.

San Bernardino County Fire crews will remain on high alert, ready to issue evacuation orders at a moment's notice if rainfall hits critical thresholds in the burn scar area.

In Oak Glen, the El Dorado burn scar is still causing problems for residents five years later.

Eyewitness News spoke to one homeowner whose property was inundated with mud and debris during a storm in September.