Mandatory evacuations ordered for 500 homes in La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Acton as rain bears down

Critical debris basins along the San Gabriel Mountains are near capacity or overflowing as another band of rain and thunderstorms bears down on the charred foothills this afternoon, prompting officials to order more evacuations as they brace for the possibility of more damaging mudslides.

Evacuation orders are in place for about 500 homes in parts of La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Acton. At least 41 houses have been damaged or destroyed in a hillside neighborhood in La Cañada Flintridge. The city of Sierra Madre, where saturated foothills are threatening to break loose, has also issued evacuation orders.

"I hate to say this, but there might be more damage," said Nicole Nishida, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, noting that two large debris basins above La Cañada Flintridge are full. A Red Cross shelter has been set up at La Cañada High School. Residents whose cars were destroyed or stuck in mud have been ferried to the shelter by deputies.

The evacuations in Sierra Madre include all streets above Churchill and Canyon Crest; all streets above Brookside and Sturtevant; all streets above Lotus Lane at Camillo; and the private sections of Auburn Avenue above Elm Street.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works said mud and debris flows are also possible in La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Glendale, Sunland-Tujunga, Soledad Canyon, Acton and Aliso Canyon. Information is available at the Department of Public Works website. 

The National Weather Service has extended its flash-flood warning for the San Gabriel Mountain foothills until 2:45 p.m. as more showers and thunderstorms move into the region.

Sierra Madre orders mandatory evacuations

The city of Sierra Madre has issued mandatory evacuation orders on the northern edges of the foothill city where hillsides are saturated and officials fear mudslides could occur as another band of heavy rain bears down on the San Gabriel Mountains.

The evacuation orders in Sierra Madre were in place for all streets above Churchill and Canyon Crest; all streets above Brookside and Sturtevant; all streets above Lotus Lane at Camillo; and the private sections of Auburn Avenue above Elm Street.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works said mud and debris flows are also possible in La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Glendale, Sunland-Tujunga, Soledad Canyon, Acton, and Aliso Canyon. Information is available at the Department of Public Works website. 

The evacuation orders in Sierra Madre were in place for all streets above Churchill and Canyon Crest; all streets above Brookside and Sturtevant; all streets above Lotus Lane at Camillo; and the private sections of Auburn Avenue above Elm Street.

Sierra Madre has set up an evacuation center at the Community Recreation Center at 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., and crews were working to build a "debris deflection structure" at Brookside Lane and Woodland Drive.

--Rong-Gong Lin II reporting from Los Angeles

FULL COVERAGE OF THE MUDSLIDES

--Times photo gallery from the scene

--Interactive map of evacuations by The Times'' Rong-Gong Lin II

--The latest rain news as it happens

Debris basins clogged by rocks and mud; officials fear more mudlside damage this afternoon

At least 41 homes have been damaged on the northern edge of Ocean View Boulevard near Manistee Drive in La Cañada Flintridge, a neighborhood that was deluged by a river of mud, rocks and trees after being hit by the double blow of a collapsing hillside and an overflowing debris basin in the midst of an unexpectedly powerful rainstorm.

At least five homes have been tagged as uninhabitable and at least six other are inundated with mud and debris. About 25 vehicles were damaged and were struck by the K-rails that were put in place to protect homes. At least 65 homes in the area are under mandatory evacuation orders and officials are considering expanding the evacuation zone before the next storm hits this afternoon.

"I hate to say this, but there might be more damage," said Nicole Nishida, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, noting the debris basins near the burn area are full. A Red Cross shelter has been set up at La Cañada High School. Residents whose cars were destroyed or stuck in mud have been ferried to the shelter by deputies.

Strong storm prompts evacuations in La Canada Flintridge; another heavy storm to hit this afternoon

A surprisingly fierce rainstorm has prompted evacuations in parts of the La Cañada Flintridge burn area at the top of Ocean View Boulevard, where several homes in the neighborhood have been severely damaged by mudslides, cars have been swept down the boulevard and a torrent of debris and mud has rushed nearly a mile to Foothill Boulevard.

No injuries have been reported. The force of the mudflow has inundated several homes, pushing furniture into yards, collapsing garage doors and blanketing yards with several feet of mud. A flash-flood warning is in effect Saturday morning for the Station Fire area, extending into Sierra Madre and east to Glendora. More heavy rain is expected later today.

"It looked like the Niagara Falls was coming down the street," said Amanda Manukian, whose home along the 5400 block of Ocean View Boulevard was strewn with mud and remnants of sandbags. "This hill right here, half of it came down," she said, pointing to a hill about a quarter-mile above her  home.

At Ocean View Boulevard and Manistee Drive a resident described how in the predawn hours she and her family held on to whatever they could in their home to prevent themselves from being washed away. When they awoke, the water inside their one-story house was already waist deep, said the woman, who did not give her name. After about 20 minutes she, her husband and their 20-year-old son managed to scramble out the back door.

Across the street on Manistee Drive, neighbor Jeff Schroeder's front door and garage were jammed shut by a wall of mud. One of his cars washed away, another was stuck in the garage and debris had clogged the engine of a third. "I don't know what choice I got," he said.

Ocean View area resident Henrik Hairapetiani said he helped rescue his 90-year-old neighbor, whom he found floating on her bed. Her home had been flooded with up to  four feet of water.

Above La Cañada Flintridge, trees were flung inside one home on the 5600 block of Ocean View Boulevard, making it uninhabitable, and the garage door was crumpled like a piece of paper. Torrents of water pushed around cars that were once parked in driveway, cramming them against the side of homes. A truck was wedged in between a home and a tree, while the bumpers of a Nissan Altima and Toyota Prius were shorn off, their tires wedged in a foot of sticky mud.

Fire officials were going door-to-door Saturday morning, warning La Cañada Flintridge residents of mandatory evacuations. Authorities were placing yellow police tape to mark homes already evacuated. Some residents were refusing to leave. Officials said they will escort others down mud-slicked roads.

The evacuations follow several frenzied hours this morning in which work crews bulldozed muddied roads, clearing the way for safe evacuations. Fire officials said they are focusing on areas evacuated during last month's rainstorms.

The rain was so intense at times early this morning that residents reported hearing thunderous sounds, not knowing whether it was real thunder of the roar of mudslides.

Although an early band of heavy rain, which dumped about 2  1/2 inches in La Cañada Flintridge, is moving out of the Los Angeles area, another wallop is on the way, according to the National Weather Service. The next band of moderate to heavy rain is expected to arrive in Los Angeles County by noon and there is an increased threat of thunderstorms.  Three-quarters to 1  1/4 inches of rain are expected to fall in the Station Fire burn area through this evening, with peak rainfall expected between noon and 4 p.m.

Jamie Meier, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the intensity of the overnight storm was a surprisingly stronger than expected.

Mudslides prompt evacuations in La Canada-Flintridge

A surprisingly fierce rainstorm overnight and Saturday morning is prompting evacuations in the La Cañada Flintridge burn area, centered at the top of Ocean View Boulevard.

Several homes in the area have been damaged by mudslides, cars have been swept down Ocean View in a torrent of debris and mud has flowed nearly a mile to Foothill Boulevard.

No injuries have been reported.

Fire officials were expected to go door to door warning residents, and they plan to use the reverse 911 warning system to make notifications. Officials will escort residents down mud-slicked roads. This follows several frenzied hours this morning in which work crews bulldozed muddied roads, clearing the way for safe evacuations. Fire officials said they are focusing on areas evacuated during last month's rainstorms.

The rain was so intense at times early this morning that residents reported hearing thunderous sounds, not knowing whether it was real thunder of the roar of mudslides.

--Victoria Kim and Ruben Vives reporting from La Cañada Flintridge

Click here for the latest storm coverage on L.A. Now

More rain, possible thunderstorms predicted for Los Angeles area

The second of two cold fronts to sweep Southern California will hit the Los Angeles area Saturday, bringing  rain, possible thunderstorms and the threat of mud and debris flows in hillside areas scorched by last year’s wildfires, according to the National Weather service.

Rains on Friday snarled traffic and prompted road closures in foothill communities bordering the Angles National Forest, where more than 160,000 acres were charred in the Station fire. Rains in Los Angeles County were relatively light Friday, but Orange and San Diego counties experienced heavy thunderstorms and 45 mph wind gusts along the coast.
 
Forecasters predict up to 1½ inches of rainfall across the coastal and valley areas with as much as 3½ inches in the foothills and mountains.

Owner claims dog rescued by firefighters from swollen L.A. River

Turns out Vernon is actually Spikey.

The German shepherd mix rescued by firefighters last week from a swelling Los Angeles River has been claimed, animal control authorities said today.

A family friend of an elderly Maywood woman went to the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority on Tuesday to claim the dog, whom firefighters had named Vernon, after the city where the dog was rescued.

"And Vernon just went crazy, his tail flapping," said Aaron Reyes, director of operations. "We see it all the time: Gosh, he really knows this guy."

Although animal control officials questioned why it took so long for the family to come forward to claim the dog, whose real name is Spikey, the friend said the owner speaks only Spanish and missed extensive TV coverage of the Jan. 22 rescue. A friend eventually pointed it out to them a few days later, Reyes said.

"It didn't get a lot of play on Spanish-language TV," he said.

Animal control officials visited the Maywood home, checked the dog's license and spoke with the owner. They also spoke with neighbors and learned that Spikey's "brother," a yellow Labrador named Polo, was picked up by animal control the day after the rescue after being found walking down a street, Reyes said.

The owner thinks her grandchildren may have left the backyard gate open, letting the dogs loose. Polo will be released to the owner once the backyard is cleaned up, Reyes said.

New rainstorm headed to Southern California

A new storm is expected to sweep through Southern California this evening, slowing the Tuesday morning commute but not posing a threat to hillside homes, authorities said.

Officials with the National Weather Service described the storm as a single event that probably would bring considerably less moisture than the multiple series of storms last week that drenched the region.

“This is just a solitary storm, coming down the coast,” said Jamie Meier, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “Right now the exact track of the storm is a bit iffy.”

The system will bring some periods of heavy rain and gusty winds Tuesday, but that is expected to be short-lived, she said. The storm was expected to dump between a half-inch to 1 inch of rain on the region before tapering off Wednesday. 

Death penalty sought for man accused of setting deadly 2003 wildfire

The man accused of deliberately setting the deadly 2003 firestorm in San Bernardino that destroyed 1,000 homes will face the death penalty if convicted.

Rickie Lee Fowler, 28, who has been in state prison since 2003 for burglary, was charged in October with five counts of murder as well as arson and aggravated arson. 

“A decision to seek the death penalty in a case is never an easy one. In fact, it’s the most difficult one we make as prosecutors. We never take that responsibility lightly," San Bernardino District Atty. Michael Ramos said in a statement last week. "As in all matters, we look very closely at the facts of each case and make a determination based on the factors of aggravation and mitigation as provided by law.”

The 91,000-acre wildfire broke out Oct. 25, 2003, at Old Waterman Canyon Road and California 18 in the San Bernardino Mountains. It quickly raced through the forest and brush, forcing the evacuation of more than 30 communities and 80,000 people. Six men died of heart attacks, and investigators said five of those deaths were directly related to the stress of the fire.

On Christmas Day of that year, a huge mudslide caused by intense rain swept through a church camp in Waterman Canyon, killing 14 people.

No motive for the arson has been disclosed.

-- Shelby Grad

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Storms leave blanket of snow on Southern California mountains

Skiers and snowboarders looking to take advantage of 2 to 3 feet of snow dumped across Southern California’s mountains may want to wait until next week when another 6 to 12 inches is expected to fall, weather experts said.

Snow levels should reach about 3,000 feet today and possibly as low as 2,500 feet, according to a National Weather Service official.

All roads to Big Bear were closed this morning until further notice. According to Caltrans, there were cars stuck on Highway 330.

“On these types of days you got everybody wanting to get up there with their snowboards,” said California Highway Patrol Officer Tommy Cunningham.

Travelers at John Wayne Airport scramble after Southwest Airlines cancels all flights

About 100 people were clustered around the Southwest Airlines counter at John Wayne Airport this afternoon, trying to make arrangements after it canceled all flights in and out of Southern California airports because of extreme weather conditions.

In all, 57 arrivals and departures at the Orange County airport were scrubbed.

Dartagnan Pendleton, 41, stared at the flight board, assessing his options. There weren’t many. Every Southwest flight out of John Wayne had been canceled, including his afternoon flight to Oakland.

“Yeah, it is a big deal,” he said. “My father is a quadriplegic and his wife is going away on business tomorrow, and I need to be there to take care of him.”

He said he was considering taking a flight to Fresno on another airline or even renting a car in Orange County and driving to Oakland.

“I don’t know whether I can get through on the 5" Freeway, he said.

In hillside neighborhood, L.A. County fire battalion chief checks on those who stayed behind

On Ocean View Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles County Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin came through the neighborhood just before 11 a.m. to check on people who had declined to evacuate.

The houses that remained occupied were marked with pink ribbons.

“In case things go bad, we want to know how to get to them,” he said. “We’re trying to keep the folks who have stayed on the radar screen.“

Fire officials, he said, are mostly concerned about two things: the slow drizzle of rain that is saturating the hillsides, and unpredictable thunderstorm cells that can deluge portions of the mountains, causing sudden slides.

“This is more unpredictable than fires,” he said. “It’s more like earthquakes.“

Worst of storm expected in L.A. after noon; Orange, Riverside counties being hammered

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the brunt of a powerful winter storm will hit the region around noon and last until 6 p.m. Officials were bracing for more flooding, wild tornado-like conditions and possible mudslides.

The California Highway Patrol this morning shut Interstate 5 at the Grapevine because of heavy snow. The CHP also said road visibility was down to zero on some roads in Temecula. 

The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for large swaths of Southern California. The worst of the rain so far has pounded Orange County and the Inland Empire, but forecasters say L.A. County should get heavy showers after noon.

According to the NWS, the barometric pressure at Los Angeles International Airport fell to 29.20 inches of mercury, breaking a previous all-time record set in 1988.

A social storm: Photos offer many snapshots of a week of rains

Here are some more images captured by residents around Southern California who recorded this week's storm. Their work can be found on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and other social media.

What did you see? Share your comments on the unusual tornado-like weather, the mudslides, the flooding and government responses in the comments below.

If you have photos or videos to share, you are welcome to post them here.

-- Shelby Grad and Martin Beck

Venice. (Ricey to L.A. Times.)

Los Angeles (Robbie to L.A. Times)

Indio (Luke to L.A. Times)

San Fernando Valley (Mickey to L.A. Times)

Evacuation holdouts again urged to leave before feared mudslides

As another in a string of storms moves through the region, officials this morning are gearing up for possible mudslides that could hit L.A. foothill communities, and they're warning several hundred residents who chose to ignore evacuation orders that they should leave.

Debris basins and flood control channels in the La Cañada Flintridge, Acton and La Crescenta areas, as well as Tujunga Canyon, are nearly at capacity, which could cause mudslides if a hard rainfall occurs, said Gail Farber, director of the Los Angeles County Public Works Department.

No major debris flows had been reported as of early this morning, Farber said, but she warned that “the storm is not over.”

As another powerful storm moves in, Southern California braces for heavy rains, mud flows and power outages [Updated]

What forecasters say may be the strongest storm of the week is rolling into Southern California this morning, with heavy rain expected to hit in the late morning through early evening, bringing a threat of flash floods and mudslides to L.A.'s rain-soaked foothills.

The storm’s main front could bring between 0.50 and 0.75 inches of rain an hour, forecasters said, warning of possible thunderstorms that could increase that figure to more than 1 inch an hour. The rain is expected to lessen tonight, but showers are possible Friday.

[Updated at 10:34 a.m.: Caltrans has closed all lanes of northbound Interstate 5 at Templin Highway and southbound lanes at the Grapevine because of snow.]

The National Weather Service is warning of life-threatening mud and debris flows in areas stripped of vegetation by last year's Station fire. About 1,000 homes have been ordered evacuated.

Residents in La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Acton were told they may have to stay away from their homes until Monday, said Nicole Nishida, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. About 500 homes in those areas were under mandatory evacuation order, and about 75% of residents had left their homes.

“That is a long time, but we want them to be safe,” she said, adding that residents could be allowed back earlier.

Rain tapered off this morning in La Cañada Flintridge, but Nishida warned that the ground was still saturated.

“We aren’t out of the woods yet,” she said.

Evacuation orders were still in effect for 262 homes in southern Tujunga Canyon, said Deputy Operations Chief Lt. Jeffrey Bert of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Residents were being escorted back on a case-by-case basis, he said.

“Some people might need medicine, but we strongly encourage people to stay evacuated,” Bert said.

[Updated at 9:49 a.m.: On Ocean View Boulevard in the La Cañada/La Crescenta area this morning, it was sprinkling lightly. Some L.A. County cleanup crews are mopping up minor mud flows and other debris from overnight runoff.

Officials this morning are gearing up for mudslides that are predicted to hit the areas denuded by the wildfires in late morning to early afternoon; they also warned several hundred residents who opted to ignore evacuation orders that they should leave.

The debris basins and flood control channels in the La Cañada Flintridge, Acton and La Cresenta areas, as well as the Tujunga Canyon area, are nearly at capacity, which could cause mudslides if a hard downfall occurs, said Gail Farber, Los Angeles County public works director.

No major incidents of debris flows or runoff has been reported early this morning, Farber said, but she warned that “the storm is not over."]

About 3,000 customers in Brentwood and Koreatown did not have power this morning after their electricity was knocked out late Wednesday because of the storm, said officials with the Department of Water and Power, who also warned that the storm could down power lines, creating hazards.

About 5,400 residents in Valencia, Phelan, Chino Hills, Rowland Heights and Whittier remained without power this morning, according to Southern California Edison.

Scattered showers were reported this morning, the leading edge of the big storm. The rain caused numerous accidents, jamming the morning commute. In Long Beach, which has been hard-hit by this week's rain, the mayor urged residents to avoid driving today if possible, and Cal State Long Beach was closed.

-- My-Thuan Tran and Amina Khan in Los Angeles, Sam Quinones and Jill Leovy in La Cañada Flintridge, Russ Stanton in La Crescenta and Tony Barboza in Long Beach.

 Photo: Ernie Aleman, left,  and Daniel Johnson with Los Angeles County Department of Public Works clear small debris on Derwood Drive off Ocean View Boulevard in La Cañada this morning. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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3 debris catch basins in fire-stripped foothills near capacity

The number of debris catch basins nearing capacity in the fire-stripped foothill communities of La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta rose to three today, potentially threatening more homes, Los Angeles County flood control officials said.

“It is possible that with this much precipitation, debris and water will go over the tops,” said Los Angeles County Department of Public Works spokesman Bob Spencer.

However, efforts to remove the gunk from those and other basins came to a halt today with the arrival of heavy rain.

“It’s much too dangerous for our crews right now. So far there have been no major incidents,” Spencer said. “We are ready to respond within minutes to any community.”

Thousands of residents without power as storm batters L.A. region

The rainstorm lashing the Los Angeles region has interrupted electricity service to thousands of homes and businesses.

As of 11 a.m., 11,609 Southern California Edison customers were without power, said spokeswoman Lauren Bartlett.

“Southern California Edison crews have been working around the clock since the storm started to restore service to our customers,” she said.

The worst-hit areas were the cities of Orange, with 1,624 customers in the dark; Newport Beach (967); Lake Forest (821); Inglewood (803); Redlands (767); Altadena (529); Gardena (493); Mira Loma (493) and Pomona (383).

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power also reported scattered outages that left 3,800 customers without service this morning.

-- Alexandra Zavis

In rain-soaked Paradise Valley, residents ponder: 'Should I stay or should I go?'

In the quiet and fog-covered La Cañada Flintridge neighborhood of Paradise Valley, Debby Mahoney, 57, stood in front of her Bristow Drive home during a brief interlude from the heavy rain. Two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies approached her, and one of them carried a form.

But Mahoney, a business manager, told them she had already signed a paper confirming her decision not to evacuate. She reasoned she would be safe from flooding or mudslides because her home is on a hill with a debris basin beneath it.

“It’s not logical that gravity goes uphill,” she said.

Months earlier, she had evacuated when the Station fire brought raging flames feet away from her home. But this time she plans to stay home with her four cats.

“A hotel room with four cats; what a mess,” Mahoney said. “We have a generator and lots of food; there’s no reason to leave.”

'Mother Nature rules' battered Southern California coastline [Update]

Southern California coastal communities, already experiencing battered piers, debris-filled beaches and dangerous waves, are bracing for higher surf and stronger winds today as the third of four rainstorms hits the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory and a coastal flood warning for Los Angeles County beaches. Meteorologist Jamie Meier predicted waves as high as 20 feet and winds as strong as 60 mph, compared with 6- to 10-foot surf and peak gusts of 30 mph Tuesday.

[Updated 11:58 a.m.: Warning that lives could be at risk, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pleaded today with residents in mudslide-prone foothill areas to evacuate and said the city could be looking at a “La Conchita situation” if the intense rains move in as forecast. Ten people were killed in La Conchita in 2005 when the hillsides above the small Ventura County community came down.

Joined at a late morning press conference by Police Chief Charlie Beck and Fire Chief Millage Peaks, the mayor said that hillside communities from Glendale to Sunland were at the greatest risk. “We’re asking you to work with us on this,” the mayor said.

Chief Beck echoed the warning. “We’re doing this because your life is at risk … please heed the direction.”]

In Ventura, technicians are working to keep the pier’s supports from floating away, said Sgt. Jack Richards with the Ventura Police Department. After the city police closed the pier Tuesday, officials found that one of the pilings had been ripped from the nearly 2,000-foot wood structure and some of the others were coming loose.

A social storm: Videos, photos offer perspectives on L.A. storms

Dana Point breakwater. (Tentoes to KTLA)

Irvine (William to KTLA)

Atwater Village (Matt to L.A.Times)

Here are some more images captured by residents around Southern California, who recorded this week's storm. Their work can be found on You Tube, Twitter, Facebook and other social media.

What did you see? Share your comments on the unusual tornado-like weather, the mudslides, the flooding and government responses in the comments below.

If you've got photos or videos to share, you are welcome to post them here.

--Shelby Grad and Martin Beck

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Glendale to evacuate 340 hillside homes at risk of flash flooding

The City of Glendale is ordering the evacuation this morning of about 340 homes at risk from flash floods.

Residents in the affected areas have been told to leave their homes by 9 a.m., said city spokeswoman Vicki Gardner. They include homes on Markridge Road between New York and Boston avenues; Dunsmore Avenue south to Santa Carlotta Street; Frederick Avenue south to Burritt Way; and all of Quail Canyon, Rim Hill, Cheryl Avenue and Frances Street.

The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 North Verdugo Road, which will also be able to accept household pets beginning at 8:30 a.m.

“Further evacuations may become necessary as the storm progresses,” city officials said in a statement. “Please be prepared to evacuate your property immediately if requested to do so.”

Glendale residents seeking information about the evacuation orders can check the city’s website or call the emergency information center at (818) 548-3301. To report heavy water and debris flows, or downed trees or tree limbs, call (818) 548-3950.

-- Alexandra Zavis

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A social storm: Videos, photos offer perspectives on L.A. storm

Sailors from naval hospital at Twentynine Palms deploy to Haiti

Fire Department abandons plan to house inmate firefighters at Malibu station

The Los County Angeles Fire Department has scrapped a plan to use a fire station in Malibu as a temporary location to house inmate firefighters displaced by the massive Station fire.

Faced with opposition from local residents, Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman informed the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in a letter that his staff would be looking elsewhere.

Freeman did not specify why fire officials backed away from the proposal. But Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said transforming the fire camp, now a workplace for 30 firefighters and staff, into housing for inmates did not make sense near a residential area.

"While these fire crews perform an important public safety service, housing them in or adjacent to a residential neighborhood defies common sense," Yaroslavsky wrote in an e-mail to neighbors.

Los Angeles storm map

 

As Los Angeles prepares for the third storm of the week today, the Times is mapping significant damage reports from throughout the Southern California region. Click on the graphic above to reach an interactive map with photos and links to the tornadoes, flooding and mudslides reported by The Times so far this week. 

-- Rong-Gong Lin II

Tornado-like storm tears shingles off roofs in Goleta

An apparent tornado in Goleta this morning tore shingles off roofs, uprooted a tree, knocked over a basketball hoop and slammed down a fence, authorities said. No injuries were reported.

David Sadecki, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, said "a destructive path" was visible in the neighborhood after the 10:30 a.m. event.

-- Steve Chawkins