Astonishing early rainfall totals as tropical storm batters California

In the last 48 hours, the National Weather Service recorded six places in Los Angeles County with over 5 inches of rainfall. In the weather service’s 7 p.m. update, Leona Valley recorded 6.15 inches in the last 48 hours. Lewis Ranch saw 5.94 inches, while Saugus and Lake Palmdale both had over 5 inches. In the metro area, Beverly Hills had 2.51 inches, while L.A.’s downtown had 1.76 inches. August is typically the driest month of the year for the Los Angeles area.

According to the weather service’s Los Angeles office, Deals Flat in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains received an incredible 0.47 inch in 10 minutes.

A number of records have been shattered over the last day. According to National Weather Service records, downtown Los Angeles obliterated its 1906 record of .03 inch, the most it rain had ever seen any Aug. 20 until today. On Sunday, the gauge recorded 1.53 inches — and it’s still climbing. Records were also set in Long Beach, Burbank and Palmdale Airport, where their record of .05 inch set in 1935 exploded to 2.95 inches.

In Lancaster, 2.72 inches of rain have fallen so far. Records there began in 1945, and there had never been a single Aug. 20 with any amount of rainfall until today.

The rain is not expected to taper off until Monday. The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office expects rain in the forecast until Monday evening, although the heaviest bands are expected to pass by sunrise. A flood watch is in effect until Monday morning, and officials are asking people to stay home except in case of emergencies. All Los Angeles public schools will be closed Monday. 

“Excessive runoff from expected heavy rain may result in flooding of creeks, roads, urban areas, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Low-water crossings may be flooded,” the weather service’s flood warning says. “Of particular concern is the Antelope Valley and San Gabriel Mountains, where there is a high threat for significant and dangerous flooding especially on the roads.”