KTLA Morning News: Major Christmas Eve Storm Hits Southern California

Major Storm Arrives on Christmas Eve

• 🌧️ A powerful atmospheric river storm has begun rolling into Southern California, bringing days of heavy rain, gusty winds, and the threat of flooding.
• ⚠️ This event is being described by the National Weather Service with terms like record-breaking, dangerous, and potentially catastrophic.
• 🚨 Evacuation orders and warnings are in place for residents in recent burn scar areas, particularly in Malibu and Pacific Palisades, due to the risk of mudslides and debris flows.

Storm Impacts and Road Conditions

• 🚗 Video footage shows a car overturned in Panorama City and wet roadways across the region, including the 10 and 101 freeways.
• 💨 Significant wind gusts, potentially reaching 30-40 miles per hour in areas like the Newhall Pass, are contributing to difficult driving conditions.
• 🚧 Road closures are in effect in areas like Back Canyon Road off Pacific Coast Highway due to the risk of mud and debris flows.

Forecast and Timing

• ⏰ The heaviest rainfall is expected in LA County between 09:00 AM and 04:00 PM, with potential for 4-5 inches of rain in some spots.
• ⚡ Concerns include not only water spots but also thunderstorms and even tornadoes offshore.
• 🗓️ A brief break in the major rainfall is anticipated between late tonight and early Christmas morning, with another round of rain likely on Friday.

Official Preparations and Warnings

• 🏛️ The City of Los Angeles has activated its Emergency Operations Center, with increased patrols and staffing from the Fire Department and Public Works crews ready for response.
• 🛺 Mandatory evacuations are going into effect in Orange County for areas near the Airport Fire burn scar, including Trabuco Creek, Bell Canyon, and Hot Springs Canyon.
• ✈️ At LAX, flight tracking sites indicate about 50 delays for departing and arriving flights, though no cancellations have been reported yet, despite record travel numbers.

Specific Area Concerns

• ⛰️ Forecasters predict as much as 12 inches of rain could drench mountain and foothill communities, increasing the risk of mudslides and debris flows.
• 🌊 A flash flood warning is in effect for Santa Barbara County, an area that has experienced devastating mudslides in the past.
• 🏘️ Many residents, especially those in areas affected by recent fires, are under evacuation warnings and are advised to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.