LA drivers are warned to stay off freeways Sunday night through Monday morning as wild storm stalls – Press Enterprise

Forecasters on Sunday urge Los Angeles area residents to avoid roads and freeways this evening through Monday morning, as a potential life-threatening, multiple-day storm is now forecast to stall over the county when it arrives.

The National Weather Service expanded its high-risk warning for flash flooding in the area, as the slow movement of the storm will create widespread issues, causing major delays on soaked freeways and in local neighborhoods, NWS meteorologist Ryan Kittell said in a Sunday morning briefing.

While it will rain on Sunday afternoon, “very heavy” rainfall is expected from 6 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday in Los Angeles County, with a 20% chance of thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall, around 4-8 inches now is anticipated in Los Angeles County until midnight on Tuesday, before turning into more moderate rain the rest of the day.

Mountain and foothill areas could see up to 8-14 inches – and possibly 15 inches of rain throughout that window.

“That’s a lot of water, people,” Kittell said. “Just a real mess.”

Those who can work remotely should do that, or at least stay off freeways during the Monday morning commute, Kittell said.

Airport delays are expected, including at the Los Angeles International Airport, as the county anticipates wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph through Sunday night, with winds steadily increasing and peaking from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Winds should decrease later on Monday.

Residents in the La Tuna Canyon Road area north of Hollywood Burbank Airport were ordered to evacuate Sunday due to the high risk of debris flow triggered by the heavy rain. The affected area borders Horse Haven Street to the north, Martindale Avenue to the east, Penrose Street to the south, and Ledge Avenue to the west, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Evacuation centers for people and household pets have opened at Sunland Senior Citizen Center at 8640 Fenwick St. and Lake View Terrace Recreation Center at 11075 Foothill Blvd. Large animals can be evacuated to Hansen Dam Horse Park at 11127 Orcas Ave. in Lake View Terrace, and the LA Equestrian Center at 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank.

Residents can check lafd.org/alerts for updates.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

City News Service contributed to this report.

How Southern California officials, residents are preparing for dangerous storm