Heavy rain that drenched most of Southern California on Saturday is expected to continue into Sunday, as a particularly stormy start to the rainy season heightens concerns about potential flooding and mudslides amid evacuation warnings in communities scorched by recent wildfires.
The rain, torrential at times on Saturday, could also lead to washed-out roads, debris flows and damaging winds — making travel difficult or dangerous, forecasters warned.
Debris flow and road closures
Caltrans reported downed trees, falling debris and gravel throughout Los Angeles County. Fog and gusty winds were reported on the 5 Freeway from Gorman to Santa Clarita.
The rain caused a minor rockfall and debris flows on a stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive, Caltrans said. The highway remains closed, and will reopen after the storms pass and crews have removed hazards.
“During this time, folks should be prepared for ample traffic incidents, delays, and a few road closures,” the National Weather Service said. “This includes a few flooded roads, freeway lanes, and onramps and offramps. Canyon roads … will likely see mudslide and rockslides.
“In and near recent burn scars, at least shallow debris flows will occur which would impact roads, with a moderate risk of significant flows blocking or damaging roads and impacting structures. This includes the Palisades, Eaton, and Bridge burn areas which have the highest threat.
“In creeks and rivers, the flows will be heavy with anyone in or near those channels at risk of being swept away. There will be an area of heaviest rain, but we do not know for sure exactly where that will be.”
A massive tree fell over onto a residential street overnight Friday in Lake Balboa, crushing an unoccupied sedan that was parked curbside, ABC7 reported.
No injuries were cited. The 7300 block of Oak Park Avenue remained closed Saturday morning for the cleanup in an area north of Sherman Way.
Rapid rainfall and flooding
Flash flood warnings were issued around many parts of Los Angeles County until noon or 2 p.m., depending on the areas.
In Orange County, the NWS said some flooding was expected in low-lying parts of cities including Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa and Mission Viejo.
In Huntington Beach, Pacific Coast Highway was closed from Warner Avenue to Seapoint Street due to flooding, Caltrans reported.
Forecasters said most of the area will receive between 3 and 6 inches of rain before the dual systems move out of the region Sunday.
Aside from the sheer amount of rain, the bigger concern in flood-prone areas is the rainfall rate — with flooding and debris flows generally triggered by heavy downpours that drop a large amount of precipitation in a short period of time.
In Oak Glen in San Bernardino County, strong rain caused heavy flooding and mud debris, closing roads along Oak Glen Road. The area was open only to residents temporarily out of an abundance of caution, according to Cal Fire BDU spokesperson, Chloe Castillo. There have been no reports of damage to structures or need for rescue. It was unclear how long the closures will last.
Oak Glen Flooding #cawx #breaking https://t.co/978M172Duz pic.twitter.com/A2mSU5ikep
— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) November 15, 2025
The NWS predicted that during the peak of the storm Friday night into Saturday, many areas could see rainfall rates of a half-inch to an inch per hour, while others will see lower rates of a quarter- to half-inch per hour.
“When considering the rain we have already seen and will continue to see (Friday), which should precondition the ground and lower the bar of what sort of additional heavy rain is needed to trigger flash flooding, the risk for significant and potentially damaging flooding continues to be moderate to high with the expected rain rates.”
Please stay away from streams and rivers during and after rain. The water can rise quickly and without warning, sweeping away people and objects in its path. #LARain pic.twitter.com/0eIEefo3IA
— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) November 15, 2025
A flood watch issued by the NWS would remain in effect from late Friday night through Saturday evening for the entirety of Los Angeles County, along with most of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Evacuation warnings
The city of Los Angeles issued an evacuation warning through 11 a.m. Sunday for residents near the Palisades, Hurst and Sunset fire burn zones. Mayor Karen Bass said evacuation orders will be in effect through 8 a.m. Sunday for “select vulnerable properties within burn scar areas.”
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said 126 homes were impacted by the evacuation order, all in the Palisades Fire burn area.
An evacuation center was established at the Stoner Recreation Center, 1835 Stoner Ave., in West Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County officials issued an evacuation warning for residents near the Eaton Fire area in Altadena. County officials warned that any other recent burn areas could also be at increased risk of flooding or debris flows.
In Orange County, authorities issued an evacuation warning for areas near the Airport Fire burn area, including Trabuco Creek, Hot Springs Canyon and Bell Canyon, and the American Red Cross’ Southern California chapter also opened a shelter at Foothill Ranch Library, 27002 Cabriole in Foothill Ranch.
In San Bernardino County, evacuation warnings were issued for portions of Mount Baldy Village, Yucaipa, Highland and Wrightwood.
Weathering the storm in burn areas
A few drivers traveled up the stretch of businesses on Lake Avenue in Altadena on Saturday morning, where a light rain fell sporadically across the fire-ravaged area. The wood frames of home rebuilds were covered in blue tarp to protect from the up to several inches of rainfall expected through the weekend. Some parcels of fenced, cleared lots have turned into mud pools.
Norman, a werewolf statue and Altadena mascot of sorts, sported a bright yellow, presumably waterproof bandanna from his post on the corner of Fair Oaks Avenue.
Rene Amy — whose home on Calaveras Street burned during the wildfires — said the stormy weather has left him still displaced and living in Pasadena, rather than risk trying to live on an RV on his lot in Altadena.
“The potential for both flooding and mudslides is the reason why I’m not back living on my beloved property,” Amy said. “Having lost my home once, I really don’t want the nightmare scenario of having to fight nature just to keep a trailer in place.”
Edgar McGregor, who offers hyperlocal weather forecasts on Facebook and Patreon.com/WeatherMcGregor, said he was not too worried about Saturday’s rain in Altadena. He predicted it would be moderate until the afternoon, then end. He is watching Monday’s weather.
“It’s here where we’ll need to watch for debris flow and mudslide threats,” he said. “With soils so saturated after a weekend of steady moderate rain, any heavy rainstorm targeting the Eaton burn scar could quickly become a problem.”
The city of Los Angeles’ Emergency Operations Center has been activated and the mayor’s office was coordinating with the Emergency Management Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Public Works and relevant city departments to ensure all personnel are ready to respond as needed to keep residents safe, officials said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state pre-deployed emergency response crews in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties to enable faster response to any storm-related issues that develop. He said 274 personnel were being deployed, along with 18 engines, three Urban Search & Rescue companies, six bulldozers, three swiftwater-rescue teams, three helicopters and five dispatchers.
“Avoid the roads, stay indoors as much as possible, and stay aware of your environment,” NWS forecasters said. “If you have to drive, allow extra time as traffic will be increased due to slippery roads, low visibility, and localized flooding. If you are near a burn scar, heed the advice of local officials as they know your area best. Reschedule and avoid outdoor activities …
“Stay out of, and far away from, any streams, rivers, and canyons — especially campers. Avoid parking near tall trees. Be ready for sudden power outages. Boaters, please stay in safe harbor.”
The forecast
Winds were expected to increase as the frontal boundary on the leading edge of the troughs traverses the area, with the highest gusts — up to 40 mph — in mountains and passes, including the San Gorgonio Pass, according to forecasters.
The heaviest part of the storm moved into the Inland Empire mid-Saturday morning, said Lauren Villafane, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s San Diego office. Rain totals of anywhere from an inch to 3 inches were expected Saturday across Orange County and the Inland Empire, she added.
The northbound lanes of Temescal Canyon Road near Hostettler Road in Temescal Valley were partially flooded, the California Highway Patrol reported. Authorities were considering a temporary closure as heavier flooding is expected.
In Los Angeles County, once the worst part of the storm moves through the region by late afternoon, showers are still expected, and possibly thunderstorms, said Joe Sirard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office.
“Once that main band (of rain) starts to ease up, it will be more of a showery pattern late today into this evening,” Sirard said.
Another round of wet weather is expected to follow on Monday and Tuesday and potentially Thursday and Friday, though that trough is expected to be weaker. Rainfall totals are expected to far exceed normal years.
“We are in a very stormy pattern right now,” Sirard said. “It is going to be a wet mid to late November time period.”
High temperatures in the Riverside area will top out in the low 60s Thursday to Saturday, with lows all week in the upper 40s to low 50s.
Snow levels were predicted to hold at roughly 8,000 feet for the weekend.
Officials encourage residents to monitor Ready.LA County.gov, Prepare.SB County.gov, Ready Riverside.org and Ready OC.com for road closures, weather alerts and emergency notifications.
This is a developing story and will be updated. Please check back for more.
City News Service contributed to this report.