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February 4 California storm updates
By Antoinette Radford, Zoe Sottile, Matt Meyer, Kathleen Magramo, Helen Regan and Deva Lee, CNN
Updated 5:57 a.m. ET, February 5, 2024
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At least three homes hit by “debris flow” in Encino
From CNN’s Amanda Musa
At least three homes in the Encino neighborhood were impacted by a “debris flow” early on Monday morning, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Crews were assisting residents with evacuation, the LAFD said in an alert.
It was unclear how many other residents were impacted by the debris flow, LAFD spokesperson Nicholas Prange told CNN Monday.
Debris flows are “fast-moving landslides” that can occur during periods of intense rainfall, according to the US Geological Survey.
In the Studio City neighborhood, at least two homes were left with “significant” damage after being struck by a debris flow, the LAFD said Sunday night.
More than a dozen residents and their pets were evacuated from all nine homes on Lockridge Road, the department said.
Tens of millions of people across California under high-wind alerts and flood watches
From CNN Robert Shackelford
High-wind alerts were affecting more than 35 million people across California early on Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Flood watches remained in place for nearly 40 million people.
More than 660,000 customers in the state experienced power outages, according to PowerOutages.us, and could increase throughout the day.
Here are the latest two-day rainfall totals taken from the NWS Los Angeles:
- Matilija Canyon: 7.64 inches
- El Deseo: 7.57 inches
- Old Man Mountain: 7.52 inches
- Bel Air: 5.89 inches
- Downtown Los Angeles: 3.28 inches
- Los Angeles International Airport: 1.66 inches
Here are the latest high wind reports from various NWS offices across California:
- Pablo Point: 102 mph
- Road to Ranches: 99 mph
- Loma Prieta: 98 mph
- High Glade Lookout: 90 mph
Over 14 million people in Southern California face rare high risk of excessive rainfall
From CNN's Robert Shackelford
Over 14 million people are under a high risk of excessive rainfall on Monday across Southern California, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
The WPC has issued a rare level 4 out of 4 warning to affected areas including Downtown Los Angeles, Anaheim and Long Beach.
Rainfall rates across this high-risk area could approach 1 inch per hour, which could lead to rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, and possibly reach 8 to 14 inches in mountain and foothill terrains.
The warning in context: Rare Level 4 “high risk” alerts are issued on fewer than 4% of days per year on average, but are responsible for more than 80% of all flood-related damage and 39% of all flood-related deaths.
This event is part of an atmospheric river: a moisture plume pumping off the Pacific Ocean, feeding off warmer-than-average waters.
"Numerous damaging landslides" could hit Malibu and Beverly Hills
From CNN's Robert Shackelford
The National Weather Service has warned of "numerous damaging landslides" in the cities of Malibu and Beverly Hills as a powerful storm drenches California.
Landslides could also hit from the Santa Monica Mountains to the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park, stretching to the adjacent foothills in the valleys.
Numerous damaging landslides, flooded roadways, submerged vehicles, and flooded creeks and streams were ongoing in the warning area as of 11:38 p.m. PT, the NWS Los Angeles said.
Automated rain gauges indicate between 5 and 8 inches of rain has drenched those areas, and rainfall can still rise by 1 to 4 inches, the NWS Los Angeles estimated.
"Life-threatening flash flooding is ongoing and will continue into the morning hours of Monday," the weather service warned.
The potential impacts include life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as destructive and life-threatening landslides.
Locations that will experience flash flooding include Westlake Village, Malibu, Woodland Hills, Encino, Santa Monica, Agoura Hills, Van Nuys, Beverly Hills, North Hollywood, Hollywood, Universal City, Burbank, Griffith Park, Topanga State Park, Calabasas, Pacific Palisades, Malibu Creek State Park, Brentwood and Interstate 405 through the Sepulveda Pass.
Safety reminders: The NWS Los Angeles is warning people to be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
"In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route," it said.
At least two homes in Studio City damaged by “debris flow”
From CNN’s Amanda Musa
At least two homes in the Studio City neighborhood were left with “significant” damage after being struck by a “debris flow,” the Los Angeles Fire Department said Sunday night.
More than a dozen residents and their pets were evacuated from all nine homes on Lockridge Road, the department said.
“LAPD/EMD are working together to offer emergency shelter locations to residents” if needed, the department said.
Debris flows are “fast-moving landslides” that can occur during periods of intense rainfall, according to the US Geological Survey.
Hundreds of flights canceled or delayed across California airports
From CNN's Robert Shackelford
Flight delays and cancellations are mounting across major California airports as an atmospheric river-fueled storm lashes the state on Sunday night.
Here are the latest, according to FlightAware:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Canceled: 215+
Delayed: 380+
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Canceled: 40+
Delayed: 575+
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Canceled: 45+
Delayed: 115+
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Canceled: 25+
Delayed: 210+
Metro Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Canceled: 30+
Delayed: 95+
Here's the latest storm impact across California as winds hit up to 100 mph
From CNN's Robert Shackelford
The Weather Prediction Center has been compiling rainfall reports from the powerful atmospheric river impacting much of California.
Here are the latest rainfall totals:
- Matilija Canyon: 5.91 inches
- El Deseo: 5.61 inches
- Old Man Mountain: 5.67 inches
- San Francisco International Airport: 1.29 inches
- Downtown Los Angeles: 1.18 inches
Flood watches remain in effect for nearly 40 million people across California through the day on Monday. The number of customers experiencing power outages is currently around 770,000, according to PowerOutages.us.
Rainfall totals of 4-8 inches are expected across Southern California with isolated totals of 8-14 inches across mountains and foothills.
Here's a look at some updated high-wind reports:
- Lagunitas-Forest Knolls: 102 mph
- Santa Clara: 98 mph
- Oakland International Airport: 60 mph
- San Francisco International Airport: 58 mph
- Sacramento Airport: 46 mph
Man saved from high waters in central California
From CNN's Amanda Musa
Firefighters rescued a man caught in high waters on Sunday in the town of Nipomo in central California.
A photo posted to the County of San Luis Obispo’s Facebook page shows a man climbing a ladder to safety with a car partially submerged in flood water behind him.
“While the storm is supposed to lighten up a bit tomorrow we still may see some flooding. Please don’t try to drive through any standing water,” the post reads.
