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Storm Brings Heavy Rain And High Winds, Shuts Down 101 Freeway And PCH

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – A new storm moved into Southern California Saturday morning, bringing heavy rain and winds of up to 80 miles per hour, threatening mud and debris flows in the recent burn areas and closing thoroughfares.

The 101 Freeway was shut down in both directions between Milpas Street in Santa Barbara and Route 150 in Carpinteria due to flooding, mud and debris flow.

Pacific Coast Highway was also closed in both directions between Broad Beach and Las Posas roads in Malibu due to a mudslide.

Kanan Dume Road in Malibu was closed due to debris and flooding in the road, officials said.

Coastal and valley areas received up to 1 inch of rain per hour during peak rainfall, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest rainfall was expected Saturday afternoon.

"Given 1-3 inches of rain across (parts of Southern California) roughly 48 hours ago, along with the presence of a few recent burn scars, flash flooding, mudslides and debris flows appear likely," the NWS said. "This is a very dangerous situation for the terrain of Southern California sensitive to heavy rain impacts."

The 5 Freeway was closed in both directions at Sheldon Street in Sun Valley due to flooding.

The three right lanes on the northbound side of the 170 Freeway were closed for flooding at Sherman Way, and a section of Burbank Boulevard was closed for flooding at the 405 Freeway near Sepulveda Boulevard.

At around 1:30 p.m., the following roads were closed in the Malibu area: Kanan Road from Pacific Coast Highway to Triunfo Road; PCH from the Ventura County Line to Kanan Road; Malibu Canyon between Piuma Road and Malibu Crest; Lindero Canyon between Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Blackbird Road.

"Residents with properties that have limited access should maintain good situational awareness and monitor the condition of roadways closely," the City of Malibu said in a statement. "Do not attempt to cross flowing streams and never drive through flooded roadways. Streets may become flooded and impassible. Identify multiple exit routes out of your property. If you become trapped call 911 and seek high ground."

The City of Malibu warned that the following neighborhoods and streets are at high risk for potential mud and debris flow as they are adjacent to steep slopes or are located at the base of drainage areas:

Trancas / Malibu West
Malibu Park / Lower Zuma Creek
Ramirez Canyon / Paradise Cove
Latigo Canyon / Escondido Drive / Maguire Drive
Malibou Lake / Cornell Road
Old Agoura / Balkins Drive / Fairview Drive
Oak Forest Mobile Estates
Decker Canyon / Decker School Lane / Decker School Road
Encinal Canyon from Lechusa to PCH
Mulholland from Little Sycamore to PCH

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power tweeted at 1:17 p.m. that crews were working on restoring power in many areas of the city, including Hollywood, mid-Wilshire, Brentwood, San Pedro, Toluca Lake, Reseda and Studio City.

A flash flood watch was issued for Los Angeles County through early Sunday morning.

KCAL9's Amber Lee said the heaviest of the rain will move through the area Saturday afternoon, with showers continuing through the night. A third, weaker storm is expected to dump even more rain Sunday.

Downed trees were reported in Toluca Lake, Glendale and Santa Ana, but no injuries were reported.

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia announced on its website that the park was closed Saturday due to inclement weather. Disneyland announced that its main park in Anaheim would close at 10 p.m. instead of midnight.

A winter storm warning was in effect through early Sunday evening for the Los Angeles County mountains, excluding the Santa Monica Range.

The snow level was expected to be at 7,000 to 7,500 feet through Saturday morning and drop to around 6,000 feet by evening, to between 5,000 and 5,500 feet Sunday, according to an NWS statement.

Disruptions were also expected at lower elevations, including "significant wind impacts possible for Interstate 5 near the Grapevine, where very strong gusts of 70 to 80 mph will be possible."

The bad weather was blamed for two vehicle accidents on the northbound 5 Freeway at Pyramid Lake, near the L.A. County/Kern County line, which sent nine people to the hospital and claimed the life of a search-and-rescue team member with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

RELATED: Ventura Co. Search And Rescue Member Killed, Several Others Injured In Major Crash On 5 Freeway In Lebec

The storm hails from the Gulf of Alaska and taps into a band of moisture stretching from Hawaii to California as a low pressure system parks itself over California, NWS meteorologist Todd Hall said.

Substantial rain was expected to continue Saturday afternoon, with lingering showers through Sunday morning before another bout of rain moves in Monday and Tuesday.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

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