Evacuation warnings, flood monitoring and road closures are effective along with heavy rains expected to fall on Southern California from Wednesday through Friday.
Here’s what you need to know about evacuation and road closures:
A medium to strong winter storm could result in periods of moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow in southwestern California from Wednesday through Thursday. Travel may be delayed or dangerous due to rain, snow in the mountains and gusts of wind. #Laweather #larain pic.twitter.com/v5o1ac8sxv
– NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLOSANGELES) March 12, 2025
Los Angeles County
Parts of LA County were able to see rainfall rates of 1/2-3/4 inch per hour at peak rain on Thursday morning on Wednesday night. Flood clocks were issued from 6pm on Wednesday to 6pm on Thursday.
The evacuation order will be effective in Topanga State Park, Pacific Palisades and Rustic Canyon Areas from 7am Wednesday until 6pm Thursday.
Additional evacuation warnings have been issued at Sierra Madre. Some high-risk areas based on evacuation orders.
Firefighters say the next burned area is “particularly susceptible to heavy rain.”
Palisade Fire Evacuation Warning: Highlands Rivas Canyon/Wil Rogers State Park Mandeville Canyon Road Road Old Ranch Road Russic Creek Sunset Fire Evacuation Warning: East and South Canyonhurst Evacuation Warning
Potentially damaging rain is projected from tomorrow evening until Thursday. People who live near burn scars or live in historically flooded areas – your #lafd I ask you to prepare now. For tips/resources: https://t.co/o5m0ytf6hs pic.twitter.com/r24tp98twd
– #lafd Talk💬 (@lafdtalk) March 11, 2025
Burnzone is prone to landslides and debris flow after a deadly fire in January, including two of California’s most destructive records, stripped off the local hillsides.
With two storms expected at SOCAL this week, communities affected by recent wildfires are preparing. Lauren Coronado is reporting NBC4 News at 6am on March 11, 2025.
The home in the high-risk warning area was visited by the Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday and received a specific evacuation order.
The Los Angeles Fire Department will post updates online about evacuation orders throughout the week. Residents can also sign up for text alerts through his Los Angeles Emergency Management Department.
Pacific Coast Highway has been closed
Caltrans will close the Pacific Coast Highway segment to residents and businesses in the burn scar area at 12pm Wednesday due to safety concerns. Only emergency vehicles and the US Army Corps of Engineers are permitted, and only debris hall contractors will be permitted through the closure.
Homeowners in burn scar areas should consider alternative routes in the afternoon or working remotely if possible, officials said.
Caltrans will reevaluate the roads as it may reopen on Thursday.
Residents are warned to avoid water at all costs due to the massive amounts of fire debris in the stream. This warning is valid until 4pm on Fridays. Full Debris flow maps are available on the Los Angeles County Works website.
Orange County
A voluntary evacuation warning was issued in Orange County Canyon due to the possibility of flooding and debris flowing along the airport’s burn scars.
The evacuation warning will take effect at 10am Wednesday. The warning is expected to last until 6pm on Thursday, when the heaviest rains are expected to sink.
The affected areas include:
Trabuco Canyon – (voluntary) Hot Springs Canyon – (voluntary) Bell Canyon – (voluntary) Long Canyon – (voluntary) Modjeska Canyon – (voluntary)
If conditions deteriorate dramatically throughout the storm, a voluntary evacuation warning could turn into forced evacuation.
The county will continue to post updates online as conditions change.
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino authorities are warning residents of potential debris flow and evacuation near Lightwood, from the eastern county line to the Acorn Trail, from Rivera Drive South.
Evacuation warning
On March 11, 2025, at 5pm, there is a possibility of mud and debris flow from an approaching storm that could affect your area. The Lightwood area from Line East to Pine Street is under a drive-to-date evacuation warning to Rivera Drive Dong Grunge Trail. pic.twitter.com/f4umsoyfdp
– San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) March 12, 2025
The county will publish evacuation order updates throughout the week.
Riverside County is currently not receiving an evacuation order.
