Flood Warnings in Effect for Santa Monica and Western Los Angeles County as 5 Inches of Rain Falls in Three Days

If you live here as I do, you probably already received a flash flood warning for Western LA County on your phone. That's common in the canyons, such as Topanga. But it's a little unusual for the Santa Monica area.

Santa Monica is projected to receive 5 inches of rain in a 24 hour period, while DTLA is supposed to receive 6 inches in 24 hours. In a typical year, LA County gets about 14 inches of rain. So these are surprising totals for the area.

Northern Topanga Canyon was ordered evacuated, as was La Tuna Canyon Road and the Agua Owen fire burn scar area. These are lawful evacuation orders and must be followed.

Public schools remain open in both LAUSD and SMMUSD. One teacher pointed out to me that in 30 years of working for the District, "they have only cancelled classes once and that was for a fire." She predicted that LA schools would remain open, with the possible exception of Malibu.

NWS Los Angeles tweeted Sunday "Rain totals have been increased: 4-8" for coasts/valleys and 8-14" foothills/mountains. Flood watch still in effect for all areas #CAwx”.

"Heavy rain bands continue to move into the Los Angeles metro this evening and this should continue,” tweeted LA area weather caster Brian Cowing. "Stay off the roads! Freeways are likely to start flooding if they haven’t already and conditions will continue to deteriorate. :

"As the sun sets, a major atmospheric river is pummeling Southern California. Very dangerous situation unfolding in/around the Los Angeles area. The entire metro is now under Flash Flood Warnings. It will rain all night, all of tomorrow, and most of tomorrow night. #wxtwitter"

UPDATE at 10:35 am Feb 5: The Flash Flood Warning for Santa Monica was canceled but the LA County Flood Watch remains in effect.