The National Weather Service is calling today’s storm system “the largest storm of the season” as it is expected to have “dangerous, even life threatening-impacts” across California.
The storm system is not expected to leave the state after Sunday, with meteorologists noting that it will last until Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.
In Los Angeles, several parts of the city have been put under evacuation or stay-at-home orders, including the area along Santa Maria Rd. North of Topanga Canyon Blvd, as “possible mud or debris flows” raises an “immediate threat to life.”
Protective barriers have been put in place, with sandbags and concrete barriers, to help limit the damage done by the storm system. In Long Beach, crews were building massive beach berms to brace for a dangerous atmospheric river.
North of Los Angeles, in Ventura County, another batch of communities were given mandatory evacuation orders over the threat the storm poses, CBS News reported.
LA County Public Works has also issued a phase 3 mudflow forecast for the Fish Fire area in the city of Durate.
The California Office of Emergency Management reported that 21 water rescue teams were ready to go, along with seven million prepositioned sandbags and more than 1,200 pieces of snow removal equipment.
From Sunday into Monday, around 3 to 6 inches of rain is expected to fall in the coastal communities and valleys of Southern California, while, in the mountains, up to 12 inches could be possible.
Extra homeless shelters are expected to be open on Saturday and Sunday to help those who don’t have a place to brave the storm.
If residents need transportation to a shelter, they are advised to call 2-1-1.
Above all, officials are urging residents to stay home on Sunday to be as safe as possible.