Much of Southern California was drenched by the latest in a series of welcome spring storms following a very dry winter.
Los Angeles area freeways saw minor flooding early Monday but traffic wasn’t snarled as many people heeded warnings to stay home amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Parts of Santa Barbara County recorded nearly 3 inches of rain during a 24 hour period, according to the National Weather Service. A record 1.73 inches fell at Los Angeles International Airport, topping the previous mark of .82 inches. Santa Monica Airport recorded 1.2 inches.
The weather service posted winter weather advisories through the afternoon for the mountains north and east of Los Angeles.
Rainy conditions stretched up into the central coast, but Northern California remained mostly dry.
Because of the recent rainfall, Los Angeles County Health Officer, Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, is cautioning residents who are planning to visit Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers. Bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to contaminate ocean waters at and around these outlets after a rainfall. Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill.
While local beach parking lots have been closed to help discourage beach visitors, the beaches themselves remain open.
This advisory will be in effect until at least Wednesday, March 25 at 6p.m. and may be extended depending on further rainfall.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the County’s beach closure hotline: 1-800-525-5662. The next weather system is expected to arrive in Southern California on Wednesday.
