7a Update 12/27: National Weather Service officials confirmed a brief tornado touched down in Boyle Heights on Christmas morning, and even with a low-end rating it still ripped up roofs and scattered debris. “Enhanced Fujita Scale level 0, 80 mph winds, path length quarter-mile, path width 30 yards,” said Dr. Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, during a storm survey briefing. Reports from the area described roof damage on a home on Lee Street, water leaking into the house once the rain kicked in after the tornado passed, and debris flung around a nearby strip mall near Whittier Boulevard and South Lorena Street. There was video showing patio furniture and loose metal getting tossed in the air which was potentially deadly.
7a Update 12/26: NOAA’s National Weather Service forecast for LA today calls for rain with a chance of a thunderstorm, and notes that some storms could produce heavy rainfall. Chances for heavy rain in West Hollywood chances are high (around 90%), and the forecasters say to expect roughly 0.75 to 1 inch of additional rain during the day, with a final blast around 6p before the storm system finally moves out. Next chance for rain will come NYE and NYD.
Rainfall records were smashed across L.A. County as this Christmas storm piled up what amounts to a month’s worth of rain in a matter of days in a lot of neighborhoods. National Weather Service rain gauges showed that kind of pace everywhere you look, as of 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26: Beverly Hills was at 3.69 inches, Bel Air 4.11, Malibu 4.80, Eagle Rock 4.99, LAX 2.35, and downtown L.A. 3.34, with downtown sitting at 9.86 inches for the season so far, about three times normal for this point in the water year. Up closer to the hills, it only got bigger, Hollywood Reservoir was at 3.56 (11.64 for the season), and the Eaton-area gauge was showing 8.15.
As of 7a 12/26 NWS reports 72 hour rainfall totals so far were:
Hollywood Reservoir 3.56
(11.64 season total to date, close to normal amount by this time of year)
Beverly Hills 3.69
Bel Air 4.11
Malibu 4.80
Eagle Rock 4.99
Easton Fire 8.15
LAX 2.35
Downtown LA 3.34
The major Christmas storm moving through Southern California is now being described by the National Weather Service as a “major” event, with a flood watch in effect and wind gusts up to 55 mph possible through Christmas. Rain totals could add up fast, and officials are urging people to avoid unnecessary driving and pay attention to local emergency alerts.
The storm is no longer a “coming soon” attraction, the main event is here, and the reviews are kinda scary.
After days of ominous forecasts, the atmospheric river is now pushing heavy rain and flooding Southern California, and the National Weather Service is calling it a “major” event with flooding concerns and tropical-storm-force wind gusts through Christmas.
We’re now talking about this as one of the stormiest Christmas-week setups in years. The NWS says coastal and valley totals could reach 4 to 7 inches through Friday, with higher numbers in the foothills and mountains. A flood watch is now up for Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties through at least Wednesday evening. Obviously, this one’s tough to follow with last-minute shopping in the mix, but it’s the one that gets people in trouble: don’t drive unless you really have to. Not much would suck more than to have your holiday season wrecked by, well, a wreck.
There will be the inevitable breaks in the rain, and it will seem like what’s the big deal at times. It’s the rainfall totals, and how quickly they’ll add up, that will be the story. We could see a month’s worth of rainfall in just a matter of days.
Christmas Eve Record Rain
Some of the potential rain totals being discussed by forecasters include, through 10 p.m. Christmas Eve:
North of Point Conception (Central CA): 1 to 2 inches (coasts and valleys), 2 to 3 inches (foothills and mountains)
South of Point Conception (SB/Ventura/LA/OC): 2 to 4 inches (coasts and valleys), 4 to 9 inches (foothills and mountains)
Wednesday through Friday:
North of Point Conception: 2 to 4 inches (coasts and valleys), 4 to 7 inches (foothills and mountains)
South of Point Conception: 4 to 7 inches (coasts and valleys), 6 to 14 inches (foothills and mountains)
The winds are also going to be an issue. The weather service is calling for gusts in the 35 to 55 mph range in some coastal and valley areas, stronger in the mountains and foothills.
Officials are especially worried about flooding and debris flows near burn scar areas, including the Palisades and Eaton burn scars from the January wildfires. For us, the Sunset Fire and Laurel Canyon areas are where to watch for trouble. If you’re near a hillside, canyon road, or a recent fire area, don’t ignore evacuation warnings. Those come fast, and they aren’t issued for fun.
For most of us, expect nasty driving. Standing water in spots. And if the drains are clogged with leaves, it won’t take much for it to back up. Do your part and clear what you can along your curb if you’re able.
The City is offering a limited supply of free sandbags to West Hollywood residents and businesses. Sandbags are limited to 10 per resident or business, while supplies last. Pickups are by appointment at the City of West Hollywood’s Operations Center, 7317 Romaine St. To schedule, call (323) 848-6591 or email phertz@weho.org. Appointments are available Monday, Dec. 22, Tuesday, Dec. 23, or Wednesday, Dec. 24, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
