Storm passes through Southland bringing less rain than expected

SKYCAL caught a rainbow in Encino, signaling the end of the bomb cyclone and atmospheric river that doused the Southland over night. 

A large number of downed trees were reported throughout the Southland on Thursday, as soaked soil allowed roots to rip from the earth below. 

Trees were reported down all over the region, including Burbank and Beverly Hills, as well as Somas in Ventura County. 

Additionally, a giant eucalyptus tree fell onto two vehicles in West Hollywood Thursday morning, and a century-old Jacaranda tree fell on one Sherman Oak man's home.

For more information on downed trees, click here. 

Though the storm has started to move on from Southern California, flooding concerns remain high in coastal communities due to high levels of surf expected through Friday.

Residents took action Thursday, filling sandbags and helping build additional berms along the beach in hopes of protecting homes and businesses in the area. 

For more on flooding preparations in Seal Beach and other coastal cities, click here. 

Mulholland Drive between Bowmont Drive and Summit Circle were closed in Studio City as some earth gave way underneath the road, due to the heavy precipitation on Thursday. 

Six Flags Magic Mountain announced that the park would be closing earlier than normal on Thursday, due to lingering weather in Valencia. 

Officials noted that all tickets purchased for the day will be allowed on any other regular operating day through the end of 2023. 

SKYCAL flew over Topanga Canyon Road, where a large boulder had fallen onto the roadway calling for a temporary closure as crews worked to remove the obstruction. 

Watch the crews working to clear the road here. 

With heavy rain dousing the Southland early on of Wednesday, some parts of the area experienced flooding, including Santa Clarita. 

Roadways in Sand Canyon and Canyon Country saw some roadways covered in water, where currents were strong enough to move parked vehicles. 

For more on the flooding in Santa Clarita click here. 

High winds, high surf and sideways rain hit Orange County Thursday morning, prompting a PCH closure in Huntington Beach and flooding in Seal Beach and along the Bolsa Chica wetlands.

Pacific Coast Highway was closed between Warner Ave. and Seapoint St. due to flooding.    

Multiple crashes and road closures were reported all across the Southland due to severe weather Thursday morning. Check your commute at CBSLA NEXT Traffic here.

California Highway Patrol shut down the Sepulveda Basin due to flooding: Burbank Blvd. was closed from the 405 Freeway to Balboa Blvd.; and Woodley Ave. was closed from Burbank Blvd. to Victory Blvd.

Pacific Coast Highway was closed between Warner Ave. and Seapoint St. due to Huntington Beach flooding.

One fatality was reported at the scene of a crash on the eastbound I-10 Freeway at Kellogg Drive approaching Pomona. All lanes were closed during the Sigalert, which was canceled by 7:55 a.m.

Multiple power outages were also reported Thursday morning.

All eastbound lanes of the I-10 Freeway were blocked at Kellogg Drive approaching Pomona for an unknown duration at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday.

One fatality was reported. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Sigalert was canceled by 7:55 a.m. and lanes were reopened to traffic.

Rick Montanez reports from the 15 Freeway at the 215 Freeway interchange heading into the Cajon Pass early Thursday morning as weather conditions worsen.

Standing water in lanes is affecting traffic on the 15 Freeway through the Cajon Pass. The severe weather is prompting advisories to avoid driving until Thursday night if possible.    

A tree fell onto a home in Studio City on Wednesday, as a strong storm begins to move into the Southland. 

The incident was first reported at around 6:40 p.m. at a home on Fryman Road. 

Los Angeles Fire Department crews rushed to the scene, where no injuries were reported. 

It was still unclear if the storm caused the tree to fall and how much damage the home suffered. 

Crews had cleared the area by 9:40 p.m. 

The Hermosa Beach Pier is now closed until the winter storm passes through Southern California.

The closure begins Wednesday night at 10 p.m. and will last for the duration of the storm surge.

With potential flooding and debris flow heading to foothill communities due to a looming atmospheric river heading towards the Southland, San Bernardino County officials have issued evacuation orders for residents living closest to problem areas. 

The order was issued for residents living close to the Alisal Fire, Thomas Fire and Cave Fire burn scars. 

Residents were advised to leave immediately. 

Over 4,000 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers had their lights cut off as the storm makes landfall in Southern California.

Here is an index listing some of the affected areas:

• Cypress Park: 2,065
• Highland Park: 1,074
• Pacific Palisades: 1,027
• Encino: 426

Atmospheric rivers are long regions in the atmosphere that transport water. The water vapor they carry is roughly equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. So, when they make landfall and release all that water, they can cause extreme flooding. 

They are an important part of the world's ocean water cycle, often contributing to water supplies, NOAA points out. Yet they can also bring destruction.

In addition to heavy flooding, atmospheric rivers can also cause landslides and strong winds that can knock over trees and power lines.

For more information on atmospheric rivers, click here. 

A bomb cyclone, also known as bombogenesis, is a fast-developing storm that occurs when atmospheric pressure drops at least 24 millibars over a 24-hour period, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration note online. 

A bomb cyclone occurs when atmospheric pressure at the center of the cyclone drops rapidly. In order to approximately qualify, the pressure needs to drop about 1 [millibar], or more, every hour over a 24-hour period," John Moore, a public affairs specialist and meteorologist for the National Weather Service, told CBS News.

"This can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters," NOAA explains.

When a bomb cyclone hits, the impact can vary based on location and the intensity of the storm itself. Along with strong winds, the storm can bring heavy precipitation to the point that visibility is reduced and flooding may occur, especially in coastal regions, according to the agency.

Residents are advised to be on alert and prepared to evacuate their homes at any given moment due to the propensity for flooding. 

Along with the rain, people can expect high-powered winds and abnormally low temperatures.

For more information on bomb cyclones, click here.

As an atmospheric river move down the Golden State, bringing heavy rain and dangerous conditions, the California Department of Transportation is activating electronic highway signs throughout the state to offer a warning to drivers. 

The signs, of which there are around 1,200, will display urgent safety messages. 

"Safety is always Caltrans' priority, so as a violent storm deluges our state, today we activated our electronic message signs to advise everyone to avoid unnecessary travel during the peak of the storm," said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. "If travel cannot be postponed, we urge motorists to drive slowly, allow themselves plenty of time and be especially alert."

Additionally, Caltrans activated district emergency operation centers, working with local authorities to respond to any impact the storm may have. 

Driving in the rain is not always easy - and let's face it, those of us living in Southern California are not at all used to wet roads.

According to AAA, bad weather causes nearly 500,000 and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter.

For some tips to stay safe in the rain click here. 

Ventura city officials issued evacuation orders for Ventura Beach RV Resort, located at 800 W. Main Street, due to potentially high flows of water along the Lower Ventura River, which may result in flooding. 

Campers could be seen packing up and heading out of the campground after the order was made. 

With heavy rain expected as soon as Wednesday evening throughout the Southland, coastal communities are busy preparing for the worst — but hoping for the best — as an atmospheric river looms. 

A high surf advisory was placed into effect, causing city officials to jump into action in places like Seal Beach as waves potentially larger than any seen in recent years could hit the coast of SoCal. 

"We're gonna be watching the rainfall, the amounts, see where it's pooling, see if the rising surf and rising tides are gonna get on top of that," said Seal Beach Marine Safety Lieutenant Chris Pierce. "If it does we're gonna have people out there. We have our water pumps in the right places that we can activate, so we can kinda dewater those areas. All we can do at this point is kinda watch and react to what the weather throws at us."

Water pumps were placed in locations like Seal Beach, specifically low-lying areas where flooding was likely. 

Crews had already implemented a sand berm, as usual during winter, in the event of high surf that could reach homes along the shore. 

In places like Canyon Country, residents were gearing up outside of their homes and businesses. 

Their proximity to burn scars, like those of the Sand Fire and Tick Fire, which both raged in the area in recent years, places them at risk of debris and mud flows. 

Neighbors hope that the hillsides will hold, especially since there hasn't been much rain in the region since the fires burned. 

Another "atmospheric river" is expected to bring widespread flooding to parts of California this week — and it's not the first time the strong, damaging weather phenomenon has wreaked havoc in the state in recent days. The atmospheric river forecast to hit the region this week will be the third since Dec. 26.

And the latest storm is expected to be even more intense than the last:

"To put it simply, this will likely be one of the most impactful systems on a widespread scale that this meteorologist has seen in a long while," read a statement from the National Weather Service's Bay Area office. "The impacts will include widespread flooding, roads washing out, hillside collapsing, trees down (potentially full groves), widespread power outages, immediate disruption to commerce, and the worst of all, likely loss of human life. This is truly a brutal system that we are looking at and needs to be taken seriously."

To learn more about atmospheric rivers click here.

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a State of Emergency to support response and recovery efforts as a large winter storm sweeps through the state.

"California is mobilizing to keep people safe from the impacts of the incoming storm," said Gov. Newsom. "This state of emergency will allow the state to respond quickly as the storm develops and support local officials in their ongoing response."

For the entire article click here.

Another storm system is sweeping in California, bringing potential flooding and debris flows.

Southern California could see up to three inches of rainfall starting Wednesday night, reaching its peak on Thursday.

Because of this, the Los Angeles County Public Works issued a Phase 2 mudflow alert for the Fish Fire burn scar area starting at 6 p.m. on January 4th until 6 a.m. on Friday, January 6th. Public officials, especially those in Duarte, are concerned the loose soil in the burn scar can give way, similar to what happened after a fire in 2016.

"Basically, we're trying to prevent anything or any objects such as a vehicle or trash can from becoming torpedoes going down in the storm," said Duarte Public Safety Manager Larry Breceda. 

For the full story click here.