As Santa Clarita started the new year with the trickling of the first weather system, residents were able to enjoy the sun peaking through for the majority of the day to ring in 2026.
Seeing over an inch and a half of rain since Wednesday, residents are not in the clear yet: the same amount is expected starting Saturday and going into early Monday.
“There’s going to be a breakthrough until Saturday morning. There may be a stray shower or two in the area, but the chances are very slim at the moment. Another system is going to come in Saturday morning through Sunday morning. We’re expecting similar rain totals — between an inch and a half to 3 inches for the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Bryan Lewis, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
From Monday to Wednesday, the third “storm” is expected to pass through, although the rain total is expected to be light, according to Lewis.
“There’s still a range of outcomes, but it looks generally light. Maybe an inch to 2 inches for that period. Next week’s storm looks the lightest [so far], but that could change in the coming days,” Lewis said. “As for gusts of wind, the peak is 20 to 30 miles an hour from south to southeast.”
Although there are no current flood advisories in the region, Lewis recommends being cautious of rock and mudslides, as well as flooded roads.
“Don’t drive through flooded roads. That’s probably the biggest thing. Even if it doesn’t look like too much water, too deep of water, it could still significantly harm the car and you could get stuck,” Lewis said.
An evacuation warning is still in effect for residents who live in the following areas around Castaic, Val Verde and Hasley Canyon: CAS-ROMERO, CAS-GOLDENSTATE-B, CAS-HASLEY, CAS-OAKCANYON, and CAS-VALVERDE.
According to the Genasys Project website, residents should prepare and be on standby for possible evacuations:
“Evacuation Warning for CANYON FIRE burn scar area starting Wednesday, December 31 at 11 a.m. due to possible mud or debris flows. GET SET for possible evacuations if you are near Hasley Canyon and Val Verde. Gather loved ones, pets and supplies. Those who need more time evacuating should consider leaving now. ALERTLA.ORG,” the alert read.
While the rain has subsided for the time being, residents are advised to be cautious of the aftermath of the storm, including power outages.
A power outage took place in Valencia on Thursday near Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, affecting the hospital’s patient tower.
Patrick Moody, director of marketing and public relations, stated that “power went out, generators kicked in, and we were operating normally.”
The outage, which took place Thursday morning at 8:12 a.m., is still under repair during the time of this story’s publication, according to the Southern California Edison website.
The cause for the outage is still unknown during the time of this story’s publication.
