Timeline: Atmospheric river moves across SoCal

TEAM COVERAGE: Cars stuck in mud, homes flooded

Thursday's severe weather left cars stuck in mud, homes flooded and headache for commuters across Southern California.

LOS ANGELES - A strong storm system pushed through Southern California this week, causing major flooding in some areas. But forecasters say Christmas weekend will be warm and dry.

The brunt of the storm was unleashed primarily in Ventura County Wedesnday night, where thunderstorms and even a possible tornado pounded the region, dropping rain at rates topping 3 inches per hour.

Los Angeles County saw some pockets of heavy rain. Lightning and thunder were also reported in Santa Clarita.

STORM WATCH: Rain drenches SoCal, flooding reported

A heavy storm brought rain and flooding throughout Southern California. Some parts of LA and Ventura counties got up to three inches of rain.

North Hollywood streets were heavily flooded. Vehicles near Saticoy St. and Lankershim Bvd. had to be towed. Many drivers had a hard time commuting, as did pedestrians, as floodwaters rushed down the sidewalks. Lankershim Blvd. between Sherman way and Saticoy was closed off Thursday afternoon.

North Hollywood roads flooded in SoCal storms

FOX 11's Christina Gonzalez was in North Hollywood as some of the roads were flooded in ankle-deep rainwater.

According to forecasters, showers continued into Friday morning, and some lingering rain is possible into Saturday morning.

You can expect dry conditions by Saturday leading up to the Christmas holiday.

SoCal Weather Alerts

Officials are urging residents to heed instructions from emergency responders and alert notifications; drive cautiously and slow down in wet conditions; and avoid trying to cross flooded roadways.

A flood watch expired late Thursday night for most of Los Angeles County.

In Orange County, a flood watch was in effect Thursday evening through Friday evening.

TEAM COVERAGE: Atmospheric river batters SoCal

A strong storm system continued pushing through the Southland today, with forecasters saying the area can expect periods of ``moderate-to-heavy'' rain that will linger into Friday.

Residents in the following burn areas are being warned by Los Angeles County Public Works of possible debris flow that may occur during this storm: Topanga Canyon, Agua Dulce, La Tuna Canyon and Duarte areas.

Duarte city officials announced that the Fish Fire burn area will move to a "yellow alert" status at 4 p.m., continuing until 8 a.m. Friday. The alert affects roughly 25 homes along Mel Canyon Road between Brookridge and Fish Canyon roads. Parking restrictions will be in place along that stretch, as well as on Deerlane Drive between Mel Canyon Road and Greenbank Avenue.

Residents in the affected Duarte area were also instructed to remove all trash bins from the street, and place them on their driveways closer to their homes, where they will be picked up manually at the 25 homes in the alert area. On Friday morning, student dropoffs at Valley View Elementary School will take place on Deerlane Drive. No dropoffs will be permitted on Mel Canyon Road, officials said.

In the Topanga Canyon area, an evacuation warning was issued for roughly 20 homes along Santa Maria Road north of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park in Valencia was closed for a second straight day due to bad weather. Park officials said tickets purchased for those days can be redeemed any other day for the rest of the year.