As Los Angeles residents celebrated Christmas, the city dealt with a trifecta of weather advisories. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Flood Watch in effect until December 26, urging vigilance as significant and widespread flooding was expected to continue through Friday afternoon, eventually leading to travel disruptions during the festive period. Particularly impacted were recent burn scars, where the threat of debris flows remained a serious concern and could lead to significant travel delays and road closures over the holiday weekend.
Concurrent with the flood advisories, a Wind Advisory remained in effect until 3 PM PST on Christmas Day, with gusts reaching between 35 and 55 mph across parts of the region. Travelers found it especially difficult to navigate the roads due to gusty winds that posed a risk of downed trees, with very wet soils from the recent heavy rainfall potentially worsening the situation.
In the early morning of Christmas, the NWS also extended a Flood Advisory until 10 AM PST due to residual flooding concerns. The NWS warned of ongoing flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, as well as a continued threat of rock and mud slides in canyon roadways. "Residual flooding of low-lying areas is likely to continue through the night due to the earlier heavy rains," the advisory noted, urging the public to heed road closures and to remain cautious of the potential hazards.
As the storm system brought periods of heavy rain, the weather service underscored the threat of urban roadway flooding, rock, and mudslides, alongside rapid rises in creeks and streams that could lead to swift water rescues. According to the Flood Watch release, "The recent burn scars will be at risk for debris flows, possibly damaging." Residents in flood-prone areas were advised to prepare to take action should flooding develop and remain vigilant until the advisories are lifted.
