Christmas Eve Evacuations Ordered In Orange County As Mega Storm Moves In

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — As a powerful winter storm approaches the region, the Orange County Sheriff's Department issued a mandatory evacuation order for parts of the county starting on Christmas Eve.

According to the OCSD, the evacuation order will start Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 8 a.m.

Areas affected include Trabuco Creek, Bell Canyon and Hot Springs Canyon — near the Airport Fire Burn Scar.

Residents can expect road closures at the following locations at the same time:

• Trabuco Canyon Road at Rose Canyon
• Plano Trabuco near Robinson Ranch
• Grey Rock at Bell Canyon
• Hot Spring Canyon at Ortega Highway

The order is expected to last through Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 10 p.m.

Any person with disabilities or those requiring evacuation assistance were urged to call the OCSD's dispatch at 714-647-7000.

The evacuation orders come after the National Weather Service issued a flood, high surf and wind advisory in anticipation of a powerful winter storm predicted to hit the region starting Tuesday night.

According to weather experts, the storm is expected to last through Wednesday — though scattered locally heavy showers could continue into Thursday.

The heaviest rain is expected to hit the region Wednesday. NWS forecasters predicted peak rainfall rates of .50 to 1 inch per hour on that day.

"There is a potential for locally heavier hourly rainfall rates to develop with convection embedded in the main rain band or in thunderstorms after the main band passes," a NWS weather statement read. "Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations."

Flooding may also happen in urban areas with poor drainage, the NWS said.

In addition, Coastal Orange County residents were also advised of a High Surf Advisory in effect from 11 p.m. Tuesday to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Weather officials cautioned residents about large breaking waves of five to eight feet, with local sets up to nine feet — with the highest surf being predicted in south-facing beaches.

Residents should be wary of dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion.

Inexperienced swimmers were urged to steer clear of the waves during the High Surf Advisory.