Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc On Orange County Freeways: Report

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A strong storm system has drenched Orange County with rain, causing flooding and debris flow across Orange County roadways. The Tuesday storm system, as predicted by the National Weather Service, made a mess of rush hour traffic as the "very strong jet stream" moved over the area.

Heavy rains moved into central Orange County's coastal area, Tuesday morning, with rain from .5 to 1 inch expected per hour. At 10:35 a.m., the NWS reported Flash Flood warnings for Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Coast, Laguna Hills areas, as well as Newport Beach, Irvine, Tustin and Aliso Viejo. That warning was expected to last until 1:45 p.m. as rainwater could flood urban creeks and streams as well as highways, streets and underpasses.

Drivers were reminded to turn around, and don't enter flooded roadways during this time.

Meanwhile, this Laguna Beach homeowner did his best to keep the floodwaters at bay from his Locust Street home. With three more hours of rain to come and no sandbags in sight, it was a battle in futility.

See: Flash Flooding Rips Through Laguna Beach Neighborhood: Video

Orange County Fire Authority worked to free several people who were trapped in Santiago Canyon. Patch reports how they rescued canyon residents trapped inside of their homes.

Read: Trapped Silverado Residents Rescued By Orange County Firefighters

Multiple crashes on area freeways were reported well into Tuesday morning, with several drivers reporting being stuck in mud water.

National Weather Service forecasters dubbed this weather system as "the most significant storm of the season." Coastal areas and the valleys could get up to 3 inches of rain during the storm, while mountains and foothills could see up to 5 inches.

"Due to the threat of heavy rain bands and a slight chance of thunderstorms capable of producing high-intensity short-duration rainfall, there will be the potential for debris flows over recent burn areas as well as significant roadway flooding," according to the NWS.

Rain will progress from northwest to southeast, with the heaviest rain over Orange County expected to fall between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, forecasters said.

Freeway slowing was seen across the county, on every major roadway Tuesday morning. As of 9:30 a.m., the 5 Freeway northbound through Lake Forest was slowed due to flooding in the #3, 4, and 5 lanes, according to CHP. Cars were stuck in mudflows near Rancho Santa Margarita on the 241.

Read: Several Cars Stuck In Mud On 241 Freeway Near Rancho Santa Margarita

The Ortega Highway, the connector between Riverside and Orange County, is being closely monitored by both California Highway Patrol and CalTrans. "With rain like this, we often see rocks and mud tumbling into the roadway," a CHP spokesperson told Patch. "CHP officers are out on freeways, and CalTrans is monitoring the Ortega Highway from Candy Store to Nichols Road," CHP said.

Flash Flood Watch Initiated

The NWS issued a flash flood watch that took effect at 3 a.m. Tuesday that would remain in place until 6 p.m. in recent county burn areas — from the Bobcat, Ranch 2, Dam, Lake and Palisades fires. Forecasters warned that those areas could see intense downpours with an inch or more of rain per hour.

"Residents near these burn scars should prepare for potential flash flooding and debris flow impacts," according to the NWS.

A flood watch was in effect throughout Tuesday in Orange County coastal and inland areas and in the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills.

Evacuation Ordered For Burn Scar Areas

The Orange County Sheriff's Department issued a voluntary evacuation warning for residents in the Bond Fire burn area, including Modjeska, Silverado and Williams canyons. Orange County public works was busy clearing the roadways of mudslides and debris.

People with disabilities or are otherwise in need of evacuation assistance can contact the sheriff's department at 714-647-7000.

A "care and reception center" was established at Lake Forest Sports Park, 28000 Rancho Parkway, for people heeding the voluntary evacuation warning and looking for a place to wait out the storm. The American Red Cross will operate an overnight shelter at the same location for evacuated residents.

Three Red Cross shelters are open to provide safe refuge and resources for anyone affected by the storm.

Besides Lake Forest, 28000 Rancho Parkway in Orange County, the American Red Cross of San Bernardino County has opened a shelter at Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Ave. in Redlands, and the American Red Cross of Riverside County has opened a shelter at the Albert A. Chatigny Senior Community Center, 1310 Oak Valley Parkway in Beaumont.

After The Rain, Strong Gusty Winds Expected

The storm will also bring strong winds to the area, likely sweeping over and down the San Gabriel range and bringing warning-level gusts to the Antelope Valley late Tuesday evening.
"Periods of strong south to southwest winds are also expected with this system, especially in the mountains, deserts, and high elevation valleys where damaging wind gusts of 50 to 65 mph will be likely," according to the NWS. "Remaining coastal and valley areas will see widespread wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph. In addition, localized wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible anywhere that has thunderstorms or heavier convective showers."

About 1 to 3 feet of snow will fall on mountains above 7,000 feet, but there could be some snow accumulation in the Grapevine area.

The storm will be accompanied by chilly temperatures, with daytime highs in the 50s Tuesday and lows dropping into the 30s Tuesday evening in the mountains and parts of the San Fernando Valley, and into the 20s in the Antelope Valley.

Ocean Swimming Not Advised After Rain

Health officials advise the public not to swim or surf in ocean waters at and around discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers after significant rainfall due to a possible increase in bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash and other public health hazards.

Mountain Roads Closed

State Route 38 is closed for residents planning to visit the snow. Further north, state Route 2 was also shut down.

Read Also: Big Bear Access Closed Due To Storm, Snow

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