Fall and winter weather is hitting the Santa Clarita Valley with full force, as residents are experiencing and bracing for heavy downpours — the first in months.
The nearly week-long trend of inclement weather is expected to be on and off until Thursday, with the forecast indicating highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s.
“Currently, we have more bands of moderate to possibly heavier rain moving into the Santa Clarita Valley this afternoon, so we’re not quite out of the woods yet. It looks like things will turn more showery later today and tonight,” Joe Sirard, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said on Saturday. “As far as the amount of rain across the area, looking at the total rainfall until now, it looks like around maybe 2 to 3 inches. Close to 3 inches in some areas.”
A flash flood warning and flood advisory were in effect until 2 p.m. on Saturday, with a flood watch in place until 8 p.m. Saturday.
“Things are very wet, especially for the Santa Clarita Valley. In L.A. County in general, there have been mudslides, rock slides and some debris flows out of the burn area, that sort of thing. The wind has been fairly tame; we’re not really looking at a whole lot of wind right now. A lot of areas in Santa Clarita are pretty calm for the most part,” Sirard said.
Residents could expect another inch of rain as another system approaches the area later in the week.
“Folks, if they go out and about, should be wary of potential flooded roads and that sort of thing while we’re at the height of this [storm]. So, be safe out there,” Sirard said.
As conditions have fluctuated since the start of the storm, residents have experienced scheduled Public Safety Power Shutoffs, in addition to electrical fires.
Diane Castro, an SCE spokeswoman, provided tips to stay safe and ensure precautions as the conditions ensue.
“In anticipation of this storm, Southern California Edison began taking steps to prepare facilities and crews throughout its service area. SCE reminds customers to be mindful of rainy-day hazards,” Castro said.
According to Castro, the following are hazard tips residents should be mindful of:
- Severe weather can cause trees or branches to fall into our power lines.
- If you see a downed power line, do not touch it or anything in contact with it. Stay at least 100 feet away and call 911 immediately. Then, report it to SCE’s emergency line at 1-800-611-1911.
- Do not try to remove a broken tree limb or branch that is touching a power line. And remember that water conducts electricity – so if you see a downed power line near wet grass or puddles – do not step or touch the water. Stay 100 feet away and call 911.
- Now is the time to make sure your cell phones and laptops are charged.
- Keep the gas tank or charge level in your car at least half full at all times.
- Check emergency supplies, to be sure you have a battery-operated radio, a flashlight and fresh batteries as well as food, water and first aid supplies.
- Know how to manually open your automatic garage doors or gates.
- Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid fire hazards in your home or business.
For more safety tips, visit SCE.com/safety.
