‘Whopper Storm’ Is Forecast to Bring Heavy Rain, Possible Slides

Widespread flooding could occur across Southern California, especially in the burn areas, as a powerful Pacific storm moves into the area Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters predicted as much as 8 inches of rain on slopes stripped bare in last fall’s devastating wildfires, with 3 feet of snow or more in the mountains above 6,500 feet.

Heavy surf is expected to cause riptides and flooding along the coast, and gale-force winds could prompt small-craft warnings in the Catalina Channel, the weather service said.

“This looks like the whopper storm of the winter,” Tim McClung, a weather service meteorologist, said Monday afternoon. “There’s a high probability that we’ll see mudslides, especially in Ventura and San Bernardino counties.”

Christmas Day mudslides and floods in the burn areas of San Bernardino County killed 15 people, damaged or destroyed more than 70 homes and caused other damage estimated at close to $40 million.

Moderate rain fell over the weekend throughout Southern California. Runoff forced several road closures in the San Bernardino County foothill communities of Fontana and Devore, but there were no reports of major flooding or slides.

Overnight snowfall prompted the closure of schools in the sprawling, 5,700-student Rim of the World Unified School District in Crestline, Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs. The roads were mostly clear by midmorning, but officials decided to play it safe.

“This year, more than ever because of the fires, because of the burn area, we’re extra cautious,” said school board member Chuck Nelson.

In Ventura County, officials promised to keep a close eye on the scorched hillsides above Moorpark, Piru and Simi Valley as the new storm approaches, warning residents to be prepared for trouble.

“I hope they don’t become complacent,” said county hydrologist Scott Holder. “We could have some fairly dangerous debris and mudslides.”

The weather service said the rain should start falling in Ventura County shortly after noon Wednesday, spreading across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties by nightfall.

“It appears that the storm will have a strong subtropical connection, giving it plenty of moisture to generate copious amounts of rain,” the weather service stated in a bulletin issued Monday morning.

“Rainfall amounts are expected to range from 2 to 3 inches across the coastal plain to between 4 and 8 inches in the foothills and mountains,” the bulletin added.

“These rainfall amounts, combined with the already saturated ground, could generate widespread flooding across Southern California.”

The rain and snow are expected to continue through Thursday, with a chance of showers Friday.

Meteorologists said skies should start clearing Friday night, with no rain or snow forecast for Saturday or Sunday.

Temperatures should remain cool throughout the week, with valley highs in the 50s and low 60s, and overnight lows in the 30s and 40s.

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Times staff writer Lynne Barnes in Ventura County contributed to this report.