Staff and wire reports

Conditions were slick and windy in the San Fernando Valley this morning, as a long-expected giant storm finally began its deluge.

Flooding was already taking its toll in the Lake Balboa and Encino areas, as the Los Angeles Police Department closed the eastbound right two lanes of Burbank Boulevard, just east of Balboa Boulevard.

Up to an inch of rain per hour was expected in some areas, in part, because the storm has been tapping into a so-called atmospheric river over the Pacific, sucking up volumes of warm subtropical moisture, forecasters said. Estimates are that the region will receive 2 to 6 inches of rain in coastal and valley areas and between 5 and 10 inches in the San Gabriel mountains and foothills, they said.

Authorities had been bracing for the storm’s punch.

“The LAFD has been forward reaching in anticipation of the heavy storm,” said Los Angeles Fired Department Erik Scott said, adding the agency has worked with law enforcement and other entities to prepare for the storm.

Flights canceled

The storm has prompted numerous flight cancellations throughout the

region, stranding would-be travelers at local airports.

Southwest Airlines is advising that its flights may be delayed, diverted or canceled through

tomorrow for travelers to and from Burbank, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Orange

County, Ontario, San Diego and several Northern California airports.

High winds

A high-wind warning signifying winds or gusts of at least 58 mph will be in effect from 7 this morning until 7 tonight in the Santa Monica Mountain Recreational area and the Santa Clarita Valley, with both areas expected to experience southeast-to-south winds of 30 to 40 mph and 60-mph gusts. A high-wind warning will also be in effect from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today on Santa Catalina Island, where 35-45 mph winds and 60-mph gusts are forecast, and from y this morning until 2 a.m. Saturday in Orange County.

“Winds this strong will likely down trees and power lines, causing property damage or power outages,” an NWS statement said.

A less severe wind advisory, signaling winds of at least 35 mph, will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, L.A. County beach cities, metropolitan L.A., the downtown area and the Hollywood Hills, with east-to-southeast winds of 25 to 35 mph expected in those areas, along with 50 mph gusts.

A wind advisory will also be in force, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., in the Antelope Valley, where 25-35 south-to-southeast winds of 25-35 mph are expected, along with 55-mph gusts.

Rain and mud

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works’ debris and mudflow potential forecast, found at //dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/forecast/file/mud4cast.pdf, anticipates two to four inches of rainfall in the coastal and valley areas from Friday morning into Saturday morning. The forecast also expects 4 to 8 inches of rainfall on the south facing slopes of the foothill/mountain areas in the same time frame.

The department listed some possibly affected areas to receive moderate debris and mudflows possible and include the Sand fire area of the Angeles National Forest in Pacoima and Little Tujunga Canyons.

Another Sand fire area potentially affected includes the Santa Clarita and Agua Dulce with the Placerita North Fork and Canyon Country Area; Sand Canyon Area; Bear Canyon and Oak Springs area; and Soledad Watershed area.

The Wheatland fire area of Lake View Terrace and the Calgrove fire area of Santa Clarita could also be affected.

Closures

The National Park Service will close a series of parking lots in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area because of the intense rain expected to fall on Friday.

In the Malibu area, parking lots will be closed at Solstice Canyon and the Zuma Canyon trailhead at Zuma/Trancas Canyons.

In the Angeles National Forest area, Angeles Forest Highway and Aliso Canyon Road to Angeles Crest Highway has been closed.

In the Agua Dulce area, Bouquet Canyon Road, two miles north of Vasquez Canyon Road to 5.5 miles north of Vasquez Canyon Road, is closed.

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