First published in the Jan. 12 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
A cold, rainy, destructive storm passed through Southern California this week, soaking La Cañada Flintridge and leaving residents scrambling for sandbags and avoiding inundated roadways.
Though drier and breezy conditions are expected through Friday, another storm is brewing and is anticipated to arrive by the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The powerful storm earlier this week thundered over the region, causing localized flooding and debris flows that forced closures of roads and freeway lanes. Rains dumped more than 10 inches if rain some areas overnight, though nearby Pasadena received 5 inches and Burbank 2.9 inches, the NWS reported.
Mud flows, sliding rocks and fallen tree limbs made driving treacherous on canyon roadways out of the San Fernando Valley, frustrating drivers on critical routes.
The storm also sporadically knocked out power to thousands of residents. The torrential rain led to flooding in the pedestrian walkway leading to train platforms on the main level of Union Station in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday morning.
More rain is likely to arrive this weekend, possibly as early as Friday. Saturday and Monday are most likely to see significant rainfall, according to the NWS.
Also Tuesday, the Internal Revenue Service announced that due to the storms and a resulting federal emergency declaration, Southern California residents and business owners will have until May 15 to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
The one-month filing grace period is being offered to residents in areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as qualifying for tax relief due to storms — including individuals and households that reside or have a business in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. Temperatures will stay cool through the rest of the week, with most highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s, though overnight temperatures will drop into the 30s in the mountains and high desert.
Officials also issued a cold weather alert for Mt. Wilson, where near-freezing or sub-freezing temperatures were expected on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
– City News Service
