Name: Southern California faces threat of flooding amid record rain
Uploaded: 2025-11-15T19:21:56.838Z
Duration: 2 min 1 s
Description: A powerful Pacific storm is bringing heavy rain, potential flooding, and mudslides to Southern California, prompting evacuation orders and flood watches across the region.

A powerful Pacific storm is bringing heavy rain, potential flooding, and mudslides to Southern California, prompting evacuation orders and flood watches across the region.

Los Angeles

Southern California is experiencing a strong Pacific storm that is delivering potentially record-breaking rainfall and raising the risk of dangerous mudslides. The National Weather Service has issued flood watches for much of the area, warning of gusty winds and up to six inches of rain, particularly in communities recently affected by wildfires.

Authorities have installed debris diversion measures on vulnerable hillsides and issued mandatory evacuation orders for 126 homes near the Palisades fire zone. Crews are monitoring fragile areas and closing roads as needed, while officials emphasize that the most significant threat comes from short bursts of intense rainfall. Rain is expected to continue through the night, with additional showers possible in the coming week.

Southern California faces threat of flooding amid record rain

We begin with this morning's top story. A powerful storm with possible record breaking rain and dangerous mudslides is clobbering Southern CA ahead of the heaviest rain, which is expected today. Crews installed rails to try to divert debris flows from vulnerable hillsides, including burn scars from the devastating fires earlier this year. The National Weather Service says the atmospheric River will bring gusty winds, potential flooding, and up to six inches of rain. Flood watches are in effect. For much of that region, Andres Gutierrez has the latest. This morning, a strong Pacific storm is moving through Southern California. The National Weather Service says the system is unpredictable. Some areas may see almost nothing, while others could experience sudden dangerous flooding. Downtown LA could see nearly three inches of rain by tomorrow morning. If that happens, it would make it the wettest November since 1985. Heavy rain is falling on communities that just months ago were fighting wildfires. Mark Young lost his home in the Palisades fire. The rain will seep under the ground and and it can create landslides. Now he's covering what's left of his property, hoping the burn hillside above him doesn't give out again. It's also why several neighborhoods near burn scars are under evacuation warnings. We have a high flow of mud and debris that just trickles down the street. And as of last night, 126 homes near the Palisades fire zone are under a mandatory evacuation order through Sunday morning. In Topania Canyon, crews closed a stretch of road, clearing ditches and watching fragile hillsides. Forecasters say the biggest concern today is intensity, short bursts that bring as much as an inch of rain an hour. The city is prepared and we are ready. Rain continues through tonight with more showers possible next week for CBS Saturday morning. I'm Andres Gutierrez in Los Angeles.

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