The recent storm in Southern California has caused significant flooding, potential tornado incidents, and stranded vehicles in the snow. Residents experienced heavy rainfall, with rain expected to persist through Saturday.
Key Events of the Southern California Storm
Tornado Reported in Dana Point
On Thursday, a possible tornado or waterspout made landfall around 10:15 p.m. in eastern Dana Point Harbor, Orange County. Witness accounts report strong winds that lifted a 12-foot segment of chain link fence and tossed it 70 feet across a parking lot.
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding
Westminster experienced astonishing rainfall, recording 1.84 inches in just one hour between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. on Thursday. Garden Grove also had significant rainfall, with a gauge indicating 1.5 inches within the same timeframe.
- Locations Affected:
- Westminster: 1.84 inches of rainfall
- Garden Grove: 1.5 inches of rainfall
- Huntington Beach: Flooding on Pacific Coast Highway
Road Closures and Commute Disruptions
In Huntington Beach, a three-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway was closed due to flooding. Similar conditions affected roads in Redondo Beach and other nearby areas.
Highway 330, leading into the San Bernardino Mountains, faced flooding and rockslides. The southbound Highway 133 offramp to Irvine Boulevard was also flooded, trapping multiple vehicles.
Expected Weather Patterns
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for parts of Los Angeles County as heavy rain continued to fall. The storm may rotate over areas bordering Orange County, presenting a risk for small tornado formation.
There is a 10% to 20% chance of rain rates reaching 1 inch per hour, which could lead to landslides. The agency mentioned that this weather event would feature scattered heavy rain and varying impacts across different areas.
Forecasts and Warnings
Anticipated rain probabilities for Los Angeles County on Friday are as follows:
- 60% to 70% chance in the morning
- 30% to 50% chance in the afternoon and evening
- 10% to 20% chance through Saturday morning
In the mountains of San Bernardino County and Riverside County, a winter storm warning remains active. Snowfall is expected above 6,500 feet, accumulating up to 16 inches at higher elevations.
Future Outlook
Once the storms pass on Saturday, the forecast indicates a dry, cool weekend ahead. Following this, temperatures should return to seasonal averages, remaining rain-free until at least Black Friday. Another storm system may develop between November 29 and December 2.
