Amid a fourth consecutive day of rain, severe thunderstorms struck Los Angeles and Oxnard on Wednesday night, prompting the issuance of a flash flood warning. The warning encompassed Los Angeles County and Ventura counties and remained in effect until Thursday at 2 a.m., as reported by the National Weather Service (NWS).
The intense weather system brought heavy showers and thunderstorms, resulting in widespread rainfall expected to persist through the night. NWS forecasted the possibility of up to 1 inch of rainfall within a 45-minute timeframe during this severe weather event.
Areas near Glendale, Santa Clarita, and Thousand Oaks were warned of life-threatening flash flooding, landslides, and severe thunderstorms. Additionally, NWS cautioned that hail and tornado activity might occur. Wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour were anticipated during this period.
Travelers on the roads were advised to exercise extreme caution, as major flash flooding of creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses was expected. NWS emphasized the importance of heeding the warning to “turn around and don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads, as most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles. Particularly at night, when visibility is reduced, drivers were urged to be vigilant and recognize the dangers of flooding.
Furthermore, individuals were urged to avoid walking or driving through floodwaters and seek higher ground if feasible. Residents were advised to take immediate precautions to safeguard their homes against heavy flooding and debris flows.