Don't put your umbrella away just yet. Yesterday's rainstorm, which OC Public Works said brought around 1.18 inches of rain to Laguna Beach, is just the first of two storms to hit Southern California this week.
No beach or pier closures had been announced as of Tuesday, but officials recommended staying out of the ocean as runoff from drains raises the level of bacteria and contaminants in the water. The storm will also generate rip currents and dangerous conditions for swimmers.
Laguna Beach Local News
Flood waters deposit mud on the Main Beach boardwalk and into the first floors of many downtown merchants in December 2010.
Laguna Beach braced for heavy rain and potential flash floods during a storm expected to land between Thursday, Jan. 28 through Friday, Jan. 29.
City officials advised downtown business owners and residents to install their flood gates as a precautionary measure to protect their properties.
“To avoid being trapped when floodwaters threaten your area, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to evacuate before the flooding starts,” city officials said in a release. “Weather watches, warnings, and evacuation notices are science-based predictions that are intended to provide adequate time for evacuation. Those who wait for actual confirmation of catastrophic levels may be trapped by flooding or traffic.”
Orange County cities brace for significant rainstorm
A hiker walks up a trail as the full “wolf moon” arrives in the eastern sky in Laguna Beach on Wednesday. Coastal communities are preparing for a winter storm expected to last Thursday night into Friday.
(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)
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Orange County coastal cities braced for significant rainfall and possible flooding on Thursday, as the most significant rainstorm so far of 2021 made its way toward Southern California.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for coastal Orange County in effect from 7 p.m. Thursday and lasting through Friday afternoon. The heaviest rain was expected late Thursday night into Friday morning, with a total of about 1.5 inches forecast for near the coast.