Firefighters from different counties in Southern California are on alert for possible mudslides due to the rains.
Photo: ROBYN BECK / AFP / Getty Images
Silverado Canyon Residents Rescued by Orange County Firefighters after being trapped by mudslides due to the winter storm that hit southern California on Tuesday.
Authorities had issued evacuation orders in the area affected by the Bond fire. The locations under evacuation order were Silverado Canyon, Williams Canyon and Modjeska Canyon, on the western slopes of the Santa Ana Mountains, due to impending debris and mud flows along or near the fire scar.
A video released by Orange County authorities showed mud flowing down the hills. Residents were asked to stay away from the area.
The authorities released a statement with information and a map with the areas where the evacuation orders were issued.
Residents affected by the debris slides were notified that they can find shelter at Lake Forest Sport Park, at 2800 Rancho Parkway, after 4 p.m..
This Tuesday the strongest intensity of the first winter storm to hit southern California was recorded, with rains and strong gusts of wind, in addition to snowfall in the upper parts of the mountains, prompting concern over impending mudslides and debris in areas that were affected by wildfires.
As of 8 am, some mountainous areas and hillsides were already registering up to 7 inches of rainwater, while coasts and valleys had received 1 to 3 inches of water, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Since Monday afternoon, the NWS had issued a flash flood alert, which would be in effect until 6 pm this Tuesday, in areas where the Bobcat, Ranch 2, Dam, Lake and Palisades fires occurred, where rains of more than one inch of rain per hour were expected.
The rain is expected to continue through Tuesday, according to NWS reports.
The Red Cross set up a shelter at Redlands East Valley High School, at 31000 E. Colton Avenue, in San Bernardino County; and the Riverside County American Red Cross offers shelter at the Albert A. Chatigny Senior Community Center, at 1310 Oak Valley Parkway, in Beaumont.
In Monrovia, a town in Los Angeles County, Residents who were under an evacuation warning placed sandbags on their properties to stop possible mudflows.
In Santa Barbara County, authorities Monday ordered residents of mountain communities near the area affected by the Alisal fire to evacuate because of the risk of possible flooding and debris flows that could affect houses on the slopes.
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