Following a week of record cold temperatures across the county, Southern California was hit by a storm that flooded highways and forced evacuations in wildfire burn areas. Evacuation orders were in effect for parts of Southern California, including burn areas in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties.
According to NBC Los Angeles, part of 101 Freeway in Santa Barbara County was closed due to flooding and rain levels are expected to reach 1.5 to 3 in. for valleys and 4 to 7 in. for mountains and foothills. Trees and power lines fell throughout the area as well.
Due to the heavy rainfall, officials closed the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu after mud and debris flow clogged lanes, reported the Associated Press. Residents used sandbags to protect their homes from floodwaters, particularly those in burn zones.
Rescue crews have worked to rescue motorists caught in rising floodwaters in Santa Barbara where multiple accidents were reported and a search and rescue volunteer died in a crash.
Additionally, the National Park Service cautioned visitors to Yosemite National Park of possible road closures as rain and snow pummeled the region. Storms are expected to continue throughout the week, according to NBC San Diego.
Celebrity Ellen DeGeneres shared a video of the flooding surrounding her home in Montecito, Calif., via twitter.