The Weather Prediction Center issued flood warnings for more than 34 million people early Tuesday after parts of the central California coast received 1 to 1.25 inches of rain per hour on Monday.
Preliminary rainfall reports showed that 2 to 7 inches of rain had fallen in lower elevations and up to 10 inches in the mountains over the previous 24 hours as of late Monday. Montecito received 9.89 inches in 24 hours, while Fillmore received 6.24 inches and Santa Barbara received 6.13 inches.
The threat is not yet over. The storm is moving south, bringing mudslides, flooding, and severe storms to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and Las Vegas on Tuesday.
More than 30 million people in the Southwest faced a minor threat of severe weather on Tuesday.
“Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms capable of generating damaging winds and possibly a brief tornado may occur today across parts of southern/central California,” the Storm Prediction Center warns. “Thunderstorms with isolated severe gusts are also possible across southeast Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southwest Utah.”
Heavy rains in central California caused significant flooding, mudslides, and debris flows, prompting residents to flee.
The entire Santa Barbara County community of Montecito, as well as parts of Carpinteria, Summerland, and the city of Santa Barbara, were ordered to evacuate on Monday.