- - Multi-day storm is threatening flooding and mudslides in Southern California: What to expect and when

CNN Meteorologists Briana Waxman, Taylor WardNovember 14, 2025 at 9:56 PM

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A strong Pacific storm is bringing soaking rain to Southern California and raising the risk of life-threatening flooding, mudslides and debris flows, especially near burn scars in the Los Angeles area.

Evacuation orders go into effect Friday evening for “vulnerable properties” within the Palisades, Hurst and Sunset burn scars, according to a news release from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

“LAPD has started contacting residents at those impacted properties,” the release continued. “All Angelenos are encouraged to stay safe on the roads during this period of wet weather.”

The threat is tied to a multi-day storm that began Thursday in northern and central California. Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches fell along the coast into Friday morning, with isolated amounts of 3 to 5 inches in the coastal mountain ranges.

San Francisco received nearly an inch and a half of rain Thursday, almost 75% of November’s average. November marks a transition into the rainier winter season, with December to February marking the wettest months of the year in the Bay Area.

Cars drive through floodwaters on the Highway 880 northbound connecting ramp to Highway 24 in Oakland, California, on November 13, 2025. - San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst/Getty Images

The flood threat has intensified since then as an atmospheric river feeds moisture from the ocean into the storm.

Parts of the region – including much of the Los Angeles area – are under a Level 3 of 4 risk of flooding rainfall on both Friday and Saturday, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

An initial wave of heavy rain for Southern California caused flooding and a mudslide late Thursday night on portions of Highway 101 in southern Santa Barbara County, according to the National Weather Service. This round of rain is expected to ease by Friday afternoon.

A second, more intense wave will move into the region Friday night into Saturday, with prolonged heavy rain possible. Rainfall rates could be as high as an inch per hour at times.

This second round of rain will also have the added danger of falling over already-wet ground, which struggles to absorb additional rain and will start flooding quicker than dry ground.

There’s also the potential for isolated severe thunderstorms embedded within the heavier rain Friday night into Saturday. Some of these storms could produce damaging wind gusts, hail and perhaps a short-lived tornado.

Much of the Los Angeles area is under a flood watch through 10 p.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service warns that the storm could trigger life-threatening debris flows, knock out power and flood roads.

Burn scar areas on alert

Areas burned by recent wildfires in the region will be particularly vulnerable to mudslides and debris flows.

Not only do wildfires destroy vegetation that would normally soak up some of the rainfall, but their extreme heat can alter the soil, creating a water-repellent layer just below the surface.

Evacuation orders in effect from Friday evening to Sunday morning cover parts of the Palisades, Hurst and Sunset burn scars, but those are not the areas at risk of dangerous debris flows.

Parts of the Eaton and Bridge burn scars also have a high threat of “significant” debris flows, the National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned Friday morning.

The heaviest rain should ease late Saturday, but the region isn’t in the clear right away. Showers linger into Sunday, and the ground will be saturated. It won’t take much rain to trigger more minor flooding or keep roads slick, especially in spots that usually drain slowly after big storms.

CNN Meteorologist Mary Gilbert and CNN’s Joe Sutton contributed to this report.

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