A powerful series of storms is hammering Southern California this Presidents Day week, bringing heavy rain, dangerous winds, flash flooding, and evacuation warnings across the region.
STORM TIMELINE
Storm 1 (Monday, Feb 16): Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit the region Monday morning. LAX issued a ground stop for departing flights. Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm closed due to severe weather. Flash flood warnings were issued across LA County including San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Whittier, Culver City, Inglewood, and Beverly Hills.
Storm 2 (Tuesday night - Wednesday, Feb 17-18): A second, potentially stronger storm arrives with another round of widespread rain and winds gusting up to 70 mph. Heavy snow expected above 6,000 feet. The Grapevine (I-5) may see slushy conditions.
Storm 3 (Thursday, Feb 19): A third wave of rain is possible later in the week.
EXPECTED RAINFALL
Coastal & Valley Areas: 1-3 inches through Wednesday
Foothills & Mountains: 2-4 inches total
Mountain Snow (above 6,000 ft): 1-2 feet by Wednesday
EVACUATION WARNINGS
Los Angeles officials issued evacuation warnings for areas near recent wildfire burn scars. These zones are at high risk for mudslides and debris flows because vegetation that normally holds hillsides in place was destroyed by fire.
Affected areas include zones near these fires
- Palisades Fire burn area
- Eaton Fire burn area
- Canyon, Bethany, Kenneth, Sunset fires
- Lidia, Hurst, Franklin, Bridge fires
Evacuation warnings are in effect from Sunday 9PM through Tuesday 9AM.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) is CLOSED to the public starting Sunday 10PM.
HEALTH WARNINGS
LA County health officials warn: STAY AWAY from ocean water this week, especially near storm drains, creeks, and rivers. Storm runoff carries high bacteria levels that can cause illness.
HOW TO PREPARE — CHECKLIST FOR OUR COMMUNITY
- CHARGE your phones and portable batteries
- STOCK UP on water, food, and flashlights
- MOVE your car away from trees and flood-prone areas
- CLEAR storm drains near your home
- If you live near a burn area — PACK a go-bag and be ready to evacuate
- AVOID driving through flooded streets — "Turn Around, Don't Drown!"
- SIGN UP for emergency alerts: NotifyLA.org or dial 211
USEFUL LINKS & PHONE NUMBERS
Emergency: 911
LA County Emergency Info: lacounty.gov/emergency
Caltrans Road Conditions: quickmap.dot.ca.gov
NWS Los Angeles: weather.gov/lox
Red Cross Shelters: redcross.org
Stay safe, Polonia! If you're in an evacuation warning zone, please take it seriously. Material things can be replaced — you cannot.
We'll update this article as conditions change throughout the week.
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