Those who live in at-risk areas, including burn scar areas, are doing everything they can to prepare for heavy rains and potential flooding as the storm heads toward Southern California this week.
Rain is expected on Tuesday, but the biggest concern is what will happen late Tuesday night into Wednesday.
That’s when rain can fall fast enough to flood streets, overwhelm storm drains and cause mud or debris flows, especially near hillsides and recent burn areas.
It’s expected to be one of those storms where rainfall totals matter, but how quickly it falls matters more.
See also: Christmas week storm: Timeline of when the atmospheric river will hit SoCal
Even after the mid-week peak, rain is expected to continue.
The rain could continue until Christmas Day and possibly beyond, giving way to saturated ground, standing water and conditions that could change quickly.
That’s why emergency officials are urging people not to wait until it rains to prepare.
If you live near a hill, a burned area, or a street that easily floods, now is a good time to get out sandbags, clean out storm drains, and think about where the water is going around your home.
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service say the worst storms can hit while you’re sleeping overnight, so it’s best to be as prepared as possible.
Sandbags are already being distributed at sites located in fire-affected areas.