Southern California just hit a torrential downpour on Thursday that flooded many places. Now they're ready for a second stronger storm. The storm could bring life-threatening flash floods to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. The first storm hit Southern California on Thursday, bringing heavy rain that led to flash flooding, road closures and water rescues.
Santa Barbara County receives more than 6 inches of rainfall, while San Diego County receives more than 3 inches of rain. Los Angeles received a record 237 inches. On Friday, the storm will move inland into the Rocky Mountains with 1 to 2 feet of snow expected. Winter storm warnings have been issued in several states, from Montana to New Mexico.
The second storm will run from Saturday night through Sunday morning, with heavy rain from the San Francisco Bay Area to Santa Barbara and the potential for flash flooding. The heaviest rainfall will move south and concentrate from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles throughout the day Sunday. The life-threatening flash flood will be concentrated in Los Angeles Sunday night through early Monday afternoon.
NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has warned that the storm could be life-threatening. The agency issued the second-highest level of flood threat for Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties. Evacuation warnings were issued for parts of Santa Barbara County on Friday due to the approaching storm "potentially triggering flash floods, mudslides and landslides." Emergencies** indicate that residents should be prepared to leave at any time, as should people with disabilities and people with large animals. Heavy rain threatens to enter San Diego Monday afternoon through Monday night. Light rain in Southern California will continue through Tuesday and Wednesday.
The major storm could bring 6 to 12 inches of rain to parts of central and southern California coastlines. In Sierra Nevada, heavy snow can reach 2 to 4 feet. It is also the highest altitude for the heaviest snowfall of this winter.