Get Ready

30,000 Urged to Flee ‘Strongest Storm of the Year’ in Southern California

Some wildfire-scarred areas could see eight months of rainfall in 36 hours.

More than 30,000 people have been urged to flee Southern California as some areas brace for eight months’ of rainfall in just 36 hours. Officials have ordered mandatory evacuations in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties with heavy rains expected to hit Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. The storm will directly hit areas previously ravaged by the Thomas Fire, increasing the risk of flash flooding, mudslides, and significant debris flow. “That’s a concern when you put in the heaviest rainfall anywhere in the United States and put it right over Southern California, directly over burn scars,” CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri said. “Some of the areas could see six inches of rainfall over 36 hours. That’s six to eight months of rainfall in 36 hours, right over what would be a significant Thomas Fire burn scar region.” Meanwhile the Northeast is bracing for its fourth nor’easter in a month, with record snowfall expected. Seventy million people are under a winter storm watch with closed schools and thousands of flights canceled Wednesday.