LOS ANGELES (AP) — Torrential rains drenched parts of Southern California on Friday, leading to new flash flood warnings following earlier storms that put the region on track for near-record November rainfall, the National Weather Service said.
Before dawn Friday, residents were warned of flash flooding of streets, creeks, and streams and possible mudslides in several parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties. In coastal Huntington Beach, rain flowed through some streets like a stream.
The most recent flash flood warnings covered areas from downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica to Mission Viejo in Orange County. Some vehicles were reported trapped in rising waters near Culver City.
Since a series of storms began on Nov. 13, Downtown Los Angeles has recorded over four times the typical rainfall for November, amounting to about 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters). Normal rainfall for November typically sits at just 0.78 inches (2 centimeters).
Santa Barbara County has been particularly affected, with parts of the Santa Ynez Mountains receiving more than 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain this month.
A potent atmospheric river has been tied to this extreme weather, which has already caused several deaths across California and continues to pose threats of mudslides in areas scarred by recent wildfires.
Atmospheric rivers represent narrow bands of moisture vapor that form over the ocean, transporting significant rainfall to inland areas.
