The aftermath of Southern California’s latest atmospheric river is playing out in dramatic fashion in Orange County, where several homes are at risk of sliding down an oceanside cliff in San Clemente.
The spectacle of teetering homes was foreshadowed by meteorologists warning all week that mudslides were become increasingly likely amid record rainfall.
And more daily records were shattered in recent days. Enough rain fell Tuesday to overtake a record set more than 110 years ago in Santa Maria. And in Orange County, more than 4 inches fell in Oceanside Harbor on Wednesday — eight times the previous record.
In most areas, the storm wrapped up by Wednesday afternoon, and a few lingering showers could bring additional snow to mountain areas above 6,500 feet.
Don’t put away the galoshes though, especially if you’re driving. Meteorologists caution that even after the rain ends, we could still see flooded roads and debris flow issues.
“We could still see some mudslides, landslides to areas that are kind of most vulnerable cause there’s just been so much water over the last season for sure, but especially over the last week or two,” said Ryan Kittell from the National Weather Service.
Looking ahead to the weekend there’s a 20% chance of light showers for Friday night.
OC homes on precipice of disaster
Across most of Southern California, the hazards have come in the form of flooded roads, swift water rescues and minor debris blocking highways.
However, in Orange County a perilous scenario presented itself Wednesday morning.
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