SoCal Braces for Fierce Storm

Canyon residents ordered to leave for fear of mudslides

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 4, 2008 11:35 PM CST

(Newser) – A storm that battered Northern California and knocked out power for more a million people today is drenching Los Angeles tonight, sparking evacuation calls for an estimated 3,000 people, the Los Angeles Times reports. Torrential rain is expected and residents of canyon areas scorched by the October wildfires have been ordered to leave for fear of mudslides.

"It's too late once the rain starts. These areas are extremely vulnerable," an emergency official said. Water rescue teams are ready and residents are sandbagging their homes ahead of what is likely the heaviest SoCal rainfall in years. In Northern California, freeways and flights are shut down after 80 mph winds hurled trees into cars and houses. No deaths have yet been reported, the AP reports.

A surfer rides a wave churned by a winter storm underneath the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, in San Francisco Bay. A fierce arctic storm pounded California on Friday, threatening... (Associated Press)

Pacific Gas & Electric worker Anthony Battiano lowers the remains of a power line pole that broke in high winds in Felton, Calif., Friday, Jan. 4, 2008. The strongest in a series of potent arctic storms... (Associated Press)

A severe winter storm approaching the Sierra Nevada and the Lake Tahoe Basin causes delays at the base of US 50 in Meyers, Calif,. on Friday, January, 4, 2008. A fierce arctic storm pounded California... (Associated Press)

Kevin Foster, right, covers the roof of his sister-in-laws home where a large tree fell in Ben Lomond, Calif., Friday, Jan. 4, 2008. The strongest in a series of potent arctic storms was expected to lash... (Associated Press)

Motorists drive through a rain-soaked highway 280 in Daly City, Calif., Friday, Jan. 4, 2008. A fierce arctic storm pounded California on Friday, threatening to soak mudslide-prone canyons already charred... (Associated Press)

A man seeks protection from high winds and pounding rain from behind a small umbrella in San Francisco, Friday, Jan. 4, 2008. A fierce arctic storm pounded California on Friday, threatening to soak mudslide-prone... (Associated Press)

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Canyon residents ordered to leave for fear of mudslides

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Flooding blocks roadways, strands residents

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SoCal Braces for Fierce Storm

Canyon residents ordered to leave for fear of mudslides

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

California • San Francisco • Los Angeles • storm • flooding • California fires

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Fighters Intercept Pot Plane in Obama Airspace

Cessna strays too close as Obama heads to LAX

LA Residents Evacuated as New Storm Bears Down

Another pummeling for southern California

Storm Wallops Houston Area

Flooding blocks roadways, strands residents

Record Exec Wounded in Hollywood Shooting Dies

John Atterberry had worked with Jessica Simpson, Michael Jackson

United Flight's Engine Shuts Down in Mid-Air

Plane makes emergency landing in Colorado

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?