Estimate of Damage From Storms Is Doubled : Weather: County official says it could reach $45 million. Meanwhile, forecasters predict another deluge is on the way.

As Orange County braced for yet another winter storm, officials Monday more than doubled the estimate for damages caused by a series of downpours that began Jan. 4, which destroyed flood-control channels, left numerous people homeless and claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy.

The damage from earlier storms--once thought to be about $20 million--may rise as high as $45 million, said Bill Reiter, public works operations manager for the county, on Monday.

“That’s a ballpark estimate,” he said. “We hope to get all of that, or at least a substantial part of that, covered by the federal government, based on our earlier disaster request. In the end, though, we have no idea how much it’s going to be.”

Reiter said the total amount of damage is being reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “which will then decide how much and how big our damages are. But at this point, $20 million is definitely on the low side. It looks much closer to $45 million and may go higher.”

The figure includes not only damage to flood-control channels and roadways but also costs incurred by the residents of Buena Park, Cypress and other cities who ended up homeless in the wake of the deluge.

With weather officials predicting heavier rainfall today, residents gritted their teeth and hoped for the best.

“You do everything in anticipation of something happening, then hold your breath and hope nothing happens,” said Kara Lakkees, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, which set up an emergency operations center in Santa Ana. “We’re holding our breath right now.”

Light rain through Monday was expected to become heavier about midnight, progressing into “locally heavy rain (today) and Wednesday,” according to Curtis Brack, a forecaster with WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts for The Times.

Thunderstorms were possible for Orange County today and Wednesday, Brack said, with the heaviest precipitation predicted for areas just north of Los Angeles.

“There’s a chance of lingering showers in your area remaining through Thursday, but at least it looks dry for the weekend,” Brack said.

News of the approaching storm made its way to area beaches Monday, with varying reactions.

As the Laguna Beach Fire Department opened its oft-used emergency operations center in a city already devastated by rains, local surfers were hoping for higher and fiercer waves.

Within a one-mile stretch of coastal Seal Beach, about 60 to 75 surfers were seeking a wild ride on swells pushing eight feet, only to be disappointed.

“The waves are no good, they’re in poor shape,” said John Seixas, 24, a San Pedro surfer. After spending four hours in the water, he walked away dissatisfied. “Just because it’s eight feet, that doesn’t mean it’s fun.”

By Monday’s afternoon rush hour, the California Highway Patrol was reporting only a trickle of weather-related accidents and no road closures caused by drizzle.

Reiter, the public works official, said the Fullerton Creek Channel in Buena Park remains closed because of damage but that all other flood-control channels damaged by earlier storms were operating normally Monday after receiving temporary repairs courtesy of the $4 million in flood aid already committed by the state.