Sun Feb 16 00:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Southern California Battered by Season’s Strongest Storm; Evacuations Ordered

**Los Angeles, CA –** Southern California is cleaning up after the strongest storm of the season unleashed torrential rain, flash floods, and mudslides across Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura counties, and the Inland Empire. The heaviest rainfall hit Thursday night and early Friday, prompting widespread disruption.

While the storm is moving out, leaving behind scattered showers, the aftermath is significant. Numerous evacuation warnings and orders were issued, particularly for areas scarred by recent wildfires. The Los Angeles Fire Department issued warnings for several Los Angeles burn areas, effective from 7 a.m. Thursday until at least 2 p.m. Friday. A mandatory evacuation order was also put in place for the Line Fire burn area in Highland, with a Red Cross evacuation center established at Citrus Valley High School in Redlands.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of east-central Los Angeles County, predicting 70 mph wind gusts and the possibility of tornadoes and flash flooding. A flash flood warning remained in effect for the Eaton Fire burn area and other areas including Altadena, parts of the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, Santa Clarita, Castaic, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks. Reports indicate significant runoff and muddy water in areas like Sierra Madre’s Upper Canyon community, near the Eaton Fire zone.

The storm, while bringing much-needed rain to drought-stricken areas, also highlighted the vulnerability of burn scar areas to severe weather. Residents are urged to monitor weather reports and heed all official evacuation warnings.

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