SAN FRANCISCO — A powerful storm bearing down on California on Friday was expected to produce heavy rainfall, damaging winds, localized stream flooding and heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada, forecasters said.
Evacuations were ordered or recommended in advance for residents of some of the many areas stripped bare by huge wildfires over recent years, exposing communities to potential debris flows and mudslides.
Rain began falling in northern parts of the state during the late afternoon and was expected to reach the south late in the night and last through Saturday night.
Winter storm warnings went into effect in the Sierra Nevada along with avalanche warnings on the Nevada side of the range. The Sierra is already loaded with snow from a series of storms in January.
Numerous areas of the state were under warnings for high winds, some that could potentially knock down trees and power lines.
Flash-flood watches were to go into effect in areas scarred by three huge wildfires in Northern California as well as in Los Angeles and neighboring counties.
Santa Barbara County ordered evacuations by 8 p.m. of residents in designated debris-flow risk areas near the Thomas, Whittier and Sherpa fire scars. Nearby residents were urged to also consider leaving.
It has only been a little over a year since a downpour on the huge Thomas Fire burn scar unleashed a massive debris flow that destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes in the seaside community of Montecito.
The disaster killed 21 people, and two others have never been found.
The National Weather Service issued flash-flood watches for areas burned by the Mendocino Complex, Camp and Carr wildfires in Northern California.
The Los Angeles suburb of Burbank called for voluntary evacuation of a neighborhood by early Saturday. Riverside County warned people living near two fire scars to be vigilant and ready to leave.
The National Weather Service office for the Los Angeles region warned of potential rainfall rates of an inch an hour in some areas.
“This certainly will create a significant risk for debris flows in and near the recent burn areas, and the flash-flood watches are very much warranted,” the office said.
Forecasters said two cold weather systems will follow on Sunday and Monday, bringing additional widespread showers and snow.
