Southland Receives More Rainfall, Adding to Existing Saturation

Following a series of major storms that have swept through the Southland in recent weeks, residents were hit with yet another deluge of rain on Tuesday. The latest round of rain started on Monday night and continued through Tuesday, leading to widespread flooding and mudslides across the region. Emergency crews were called in to assist with the cleanup effort, while motorists struggled to navigate the flooded streets and highways.

The National Weather Service issued several flood warnings and advisories throughout the day, urging residents to take precautions and avoid driving through flooded areas. In anticipation of the storm, many schools and businesses closed early, while officials assessed the damage and developed recovery plans.

Despite the challenges, many residents expressed gratitude for the continued rainfall, which has helped to alleviate the region's ongoing drought conditions. "It's been a tough few weeks, but we're grateful for the rain," said one resident who had to evacuate their home due to flooding. "We know it's important for our state, and we're willing to weather the storms."

However, on Wednesday, another storm system moved into the already saturated Southland, causing a wet morning commute and increasing concerns about mud and debris flows. The National Weather Service forecasted that another wave of rain would arrive later in the day and continue into Thursday. The snow level had fallen to about 4,000 feet, bringing a mix of rain and snow to higher elevations.

The latest round of rain has raised fears of the already-saturated ground giving way in the form of mudslides. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a roughly quarter-acre mudslide in the Beverly Crest area that blocked at least two residential driveways. Building and Safety crews were dispatched to assess any potential danger to homes in the area.

Rain is expected to taper off in Los Angeles County by late morning, with some sunshine expected. However, the NWS forecasted that there will be "increasing showers and possible thunderstorms (Wednesday night) into Thursday morning as the upper low with the colder and more unstable air mass moves through." Forecasters said rainfall totals are difficult to predict, but the second wave of the storm is expected to be more "showery" in nature, dropping more rain in some areas than others.

While the storm system is expected to move out of the area by late Thursday, a winter storm warning will be in effect until 2 p.m. Thursday in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, with up to 12 inches of snow possible above 5,000 feet. The western San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley (14) Freeway corridor will be under a winter weather advisory until 2 p.m. Thursday, with up to 8 inches of snow possible above 5,000 feet. The advisory will also be in place during the same hours for the Golden State (5) Freeway corridor in northern Los Angeles County, where an inch of snow could fall on the Grapevine.

As the cleanup effort continues and the Southland faces more challenges in the coming days, officials are urging residents to stay informed and prepared for any weather developments.