Mudslide, Landslide, Flood Risks Loom In Unrelenting Storm In OC

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — The atmospheric river-fueled storm that unleashed more than 100 mudslides and dropped nearly a year's worth of rain in parts of the Southland continued to rage Tuesday, triggering more mudslides on the South Orange County coast, chaotic freeways and the increased risk of flooding across the area.

While the rains eased across the county as of Tuesday afternoon, weather experts reported that residents should be prepared for returning rain as early as Tuesday night. On Wednesday, Orange County residents can expect a 50 percent chance of showers, winds and cold temperatures.

Across the southland, the flooding and mudslide risk while driving remains especially high.

"It's a very real risk. If you don't have to go out and drive, don't," National Weather Service meteorologist Carol Smith said. "When you are out driving around, be extra cautious of canyon roads. Don't drive through flood areas especially if there is a current. Up to two feet of water can carry your car away."

Smith also urged people to resist the urge to drive up to the snowcapped mountains, which have already received two to three feet of snow above 7,000 feet and can expect 1 to 2 feet of snow before the storm is done with Southern California.

"It's not the time to drive up and see the snow," she said.

Over the next couple of days, the mountain roads face a risk of rockslides, icy conditions and avalanches, she warned. Major mountain passes are expected to get more snow Tuesday night.

"Tonight on the Grapevine, it could get 2-4 inches of snow," Smith said. "That's armageddon on the Grapevine."

Rain totals have record-setting in many areas and caused mud and debris flows that prompted authorities to issue an optional evacuation order for areas where mudslides are likely.

RELATED: Flash Flood Watch, Optional Evacuation Order In OC Amid Storm

One such landslide occurred in South Orange County, after more moving land was reported in San Clemente near a popular beach trail and the coastal train tracks.

According to a previous Patch report, the slipping slopes halted passenger train service through San Clemente when they were reported in January. Mariposa Bridge was also damaged and a section had to be removed, officials said.

Metrolink spokesman Scott Johnson told The Orange County Register that an engineering team has installed an array of sensors to "confirm ongoing soil movement, which has increased during the past 24 to 48 hours" as a result of the heavy rains.

The heavy rains also shut down a roughly three-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in north Orange County due to heavy rains caused by a powerful winter storm, officials said Tuesday.

The area of Seapoint Street to Warner Avenue was first closed at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, officials with Caltrans District 12 said.

Christine Knadler, Caltrans public information officer for District 12 — which is Orange County — told The Orange County Register that the PCH closure is the only major roadway closed as of Tuesday morning.

Smaller closures, she told the newspaper, were reported elsewhere and stemmed mostly from drainage issues.

"We're working on those pretty quickly," she told The OC Register.

Cal State Long Beach and Cal State Fullerton planned to return to normal operations Tuesday.

Students at all campuses were again urged to check with college officials to determine the status of campus changes.

A high surf advisory was also issued from 10 p.m. Sunday to 10 p.m. Monday at Orange County beaches, according to the National Weather Service.