Rain brings threat of mudslides, flooding to Southern California

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - A storm moving into Southern California on Thursday brought rain that threatened to unleash debris flows in wildfire burn areas, resulting in mandatory evacuation orders in parts of Orange and Riverside counties.

Forecasters said there was a potential for heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms through early Thursday evening that could bring heavy wind gusts and street flooding.

The heavier downpours increased the chance of rockslides, mudslides and minor debris flows across the recent burn areas, especially across Highway 1 and the canyon roadways in the Woolsey and Hill burn areas, forecasters said.

According to the city of Malibu, there is a mudslide on Cuthbert Rd between Horizon & Busch in Malibu Park. Please evacuate & avoid the immediate area.

The mandatory evacuation order for the residents within Trabuco Creek and the volunatry evacuation warning for Rose Canyon and Mystic Oaks/El Cariso North areas will remain in effect overnight.

Trabuco Canyon Rd remains closed between Plano Trabuco Rd and just south of Rose Canyon Rd. Residents living in Rose Canyon can access via Live Oak to Trabuco Canyon Rd. Rain forecasted overnight, if there are no impacts to the area, tentative reopening is scheduled for 7 a.m.

Click here for a list of evacuation orders in Riverside County.

Click here for a list of evacuation orders in Orange County.

Sandbags were also offered in several locations in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Click here to locate the nearest Los Angeles County fire station or beach location to obtain free sandbags.

The city of Malibu urged residents to look for their locations in an interactive online map created by the U.S. Geological Survey that depicts the likelihood of debris flows given certain amounts of rainfall.

"Prepare for lack of water, power and natural gas, non-functional traffic signals, and roads that may be impassable,'' the Malibu city statement said. "Evacuation orders should not be taken lightly and are ordered because there is a threat to life and property. Evacuate early to reduce traffic congestion out of Malibu.''

Last January, the Santa Barbara-adjacent community of Montecito was savaged by massive, deadly debris flows when a downpour hit mountains denuded by a devastating fire.

The rain also caused multiple accidents Thursday morning on rain-slicked roadways, including a big rig crash on the 134 Freeway in Eagle Rock and the 101 Freeway in the Hollywood Hills.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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