Flood Watch In Dana Point As Winter Storm Approaches

DANA POINT, CA — Weather officials issued a flood warning for Orange County residents as a seasonal storm brings clouds, wind and rain to Southern California.

The floor watch advisory will remain in place from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning, with the heaviest rainfall expected to occur Thursday night.

The flood watch advisory affects a portion of Southern California, including all of Orange County, San Bernardino County mountains, San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys, the Inland Empire and Santa Ana Mountains and foothills.

"An atmospheric river will generate moderate to heavy rainfall Thursday into early Friday with rainfall rates of .30-.50 inches per hour, locally up to .75 inches per hour at times on the coastal mountain slopes," the National Weather Service said in a statement.

Excessive rain may result in flooded rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, according to the NWS. Debris flows and landslides will also be possible in and below recent burn scars.