Storm Triggers Slides, Flooding

A persistent Pacific storm continued to spin off Point Conception on Tuesday after dumping up to 22 inches of rain that triggered mudslides, damaged crops and cut Amtrak rail service between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo.

Forecasters said a second storm due later this week could drop more rain on hillsides already soaked to capacity.

Precipitation from the first storm varied widely, with Santa Barbara and Ventura counties receiving the brunt. The National Weather Service said that by 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, 22.80 inches had fallen at Old Man Mountain in Ventura County, 17.56 inches at nearby Tommy’s Creek, 13.11 at the San Marcos Pass above Santa Barbara and 8.05 in Montecito.

In Orange County, rainfall amounts varied from nearly three-quarters of an inch in Placentia to less than a quarter of an inch in Dana Point.

As much as 8 inches of new snow was expected in the Tehachapi, San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains before dawn today, adding to a snowpack more than six feet deep in several ski areas. Forecasters said there could be a few lingering rain showers in the Los Angeles Basin this morning as the weakening storm finally begins to move east.

National Weather Service meteorologist Tim McClung said the weather should be dry this afternoon and Thursday, with high temperatures near 60 degrees.

“But unfortunately, once again, our computers are advertising another storm for the coming weekend,” he said. “The potential exists for more significant rain and snow.”

The storm dropped limbs, uprooted trees, downed power lines and caused generally minor flooding throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The Santa Ynez River swelled to eight feet above flood stage before beginning to subside, and some residents of Guadalupe, a farming community in northern Santa Barbara County, were advised to evacuate when the nearby Santa Maria River threatened homes.

Rain was blamed for about two dozen traffic accidents Tuesday morning in Ventura County, including one involving a school bus carrying 48 children. No serious injuries were reported.

Amtrak canceled eight of its passenger trains after flooding and concerns about washouts prompted the Union Pacific railroad to shut down much of the rail line between San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles.