DLR is closing early today (1/18/10)

[blackjackdelta]

Not just rain for us but snow. I was out with DH shoveling this morning at 4 am. I will get the honor of shoveling in the morning, too. My concern is Thursday into Friday. They are predicting 2-4 inches of rain followed by 1-2 feet of snow. Oh, my!!! I hope that prediction changes! I feel for those down elevation from us because they are calling for severe flooding.

May I ask, where to do live so I may get a perspective on what is going on?

Jack

 

[Canyon girl]

I live near Williams, AZ in the high desert. The BAD storm that is going to go through SoCal today and tomorrow is supposed to dump 30-50 more inches of snow on us. I sure hope they are wrong!

 

[liesel]

Uh, you guess wrong! I lived in Nor. Cal for 6 years. Went to school at UC Davis. Even experienced the "infamous" floods of winter '96/'97 (or maybe it was '97/'98...can't remember). You know, when I-5 was shutdown because it was covered with water??? Yeah, I know rain. I know lots of rain.

But, this rain has been more rain and wind in LESS TIME than I've ever been through, and I've been in three hurricanes!!! When I look out my window, and I cannot SEE the street in front of my house...it's bad.

Hey, I'm a UC Davis grad too and still remember that rain! Good times.

 

[Sherry E]

I live near Williams, AZ in the high desert. The BAD storm that is going to go through SoCal today and tomorrow is supposed to dump 30-50 more inches of snow on us. I sure hope they are wrong!

Yes, our trusty Storm Watch/Storm Track crew has been scaring us all morning about how today's rain is far worse than the last two days. We are expecting "torrential downpours" this time, for extended periods of time. See, it is not that it rains in SoCal so often, but when it rains hard and fast - a lot of heavy rain in a very short period of time - because we are not used to it out here in SoCal, it causes all kinds of mayhem. I don't know if anyone has seen the news footage of Long Beach. Long Beach is where the Aquarium of the Pacific is, and the Queen Mary, and the Catalina Express and all that - it is about 25 minutes away from where I live and about 20 minutes away from DLR. Certain neighborhoods in Long Beach are totally flooded just from yesterday and Monday. The water was at least 5 feet high on some streets there. The City (well, the City of L.A. and the City of Long Beach) has not taken proper care of the storm drains and things because we don't get a lot of rain consistently. So when we get pummeled - as we are expected to be today and tomorrow - it is a big, big problem. Also, Orange County tends to get little mini-tornados too, when we have a big storm. Well, 'mini' enough to tear the roof off of some houses, that is.

We may not get a lot of rain yearly in comparison to other states, but...when it rains, it pours - literally!!! I actually do not envy anyone who has to be in DLR today or tomorrow because I think it will be an utter mess!

So Naomi, if this "torrential rain" we are hunkering down for today in California turns into snow by the time it reaches you, it looks like you may have a lot of snow to shovel!

 

[goofycathy]

hope everyone has made it ok thru this rain...stay safe and drive carefully!

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

I live near Williams, AZ in the high desert. The BAD storm that is going to go through SoCal today and tomorrow is supposed to dump 30-50 more inches of snow on us. I sure hope they are wrong!

I was going to try & get up there this weekend for sledding w/ the kids but I think I'm too scared, LOL. My poor "valley" kids have no clue what NEW snow looks & feels like. Last time we got to Flag it was all pretty hardpacked, but made for a fun (& bruised) day. I heard the White MOuntains were expecting 20 inches!!

I've been checking the 2 weather threads regularly, I'm so freaked about this crazy weather...

 

[Canyon girl]

Yes, our trusty Storm Watch/Storm Track crew has been scaring us all morning about thow today's rain is far worse than the last two days. We are expecting "torrential downpours" this time, for extended periods of time. See, it is not that it rains in SoCal so often, but when it rains hard and fast - a lot of heavy rain in a very short period of time - because we are not used to it out here in SoCal, it causes all kinds of mayhem. I don't know if anyone has seen the news footage of Long Beach. Long Beach is where the Aquarium of the Pacific is, and the Queen Mary, and the Catalina Express and all that - it is about 25 minutes away from where I live and about 20 minutes away from DLR. Certain neighborhoods in Long Beach are totally flooded just from yesterday and Monday. The water was at least 5 feet high on some streets there. The City (well, the City of L.A. and the City of Long Beach) as not taken proper care of the storm drains and things because we don't get a lot of rain consistently. So when we get pummeled - as we are expected to be today and tomorrow - it is a big, big problem. Also, Orange County tends to get little mini-tornados too, when we have a big storm. Well, 'mini' enough to tear the roof off of some houses, that is.

We may not get a lot of rain yearly in comparison to other states, but...when it rains, it pours - literally!!! I actually do not envy anyone who has to be in DLR today or tomorrow because I think it will be an utter mess!

So Naomi, if this "torrential rain" we are hunkering down for today in California turns into snow by the time it reaches you, it looks like you may have a lot of snow to shovel!

Yes, I have been watching the weather out of SoCal. It is unbelievable!!! I even had to add the 7ABC news app to my iTouch so I could catch up on what is going on during the day. DH and I watched video of the 710 with all the people going under the underpass (and water) last night. After he went to bed, I watched the continuing coverage on the Weather Channel. Both of our states have been in drought for so long that this water (while good) is also bad because it is just running off and not soaking in where it is needed. I really hope that for all of our sakes that the projections are on the high side and that we get much less than what they are calling for.

We had our first blizzard in a decade in early Dec. We had 20.1 inches in 24 hours. The plows were able to keep up well enough for DH to be able to get to work. I hope that they are able to keep up with this next pass.

So for all of us out there in this...Keep Safe!

Naomi

 

[Canyon girl]

I was going to try & get up there this weekend for sledding w/ the kids but I think I'm too scared, LOL. My poor "valley" kids have no clue what NEW snow looks & feels like. Last time we got to Flag it was all pretty hardpacked, but made for a fun (& bruised) day. I heard the White MOuntains were expecting 20 inches!!

I've been checking the 2 weather threads regularly, I'm so freaked about this crazy weather...

Fresh snow is great, but this is ridiculous! The snow Monday night was good packing snow, but last night's was heavy and dry. Not good for packing. As far as coming up this weekend, I'm not really sure how good the roads to the play areas are going to be. If one of the guys I saw plowing the road the Tuesday morning is any example, he may still be crosswise in the road somewhere! The weather program that I use on my phone is predicting 30-50 inches starting tonight and ending Friday night, but it appears that there is still a chance of snow on Saturday. If you are planning on coming up, definitely watch the radar.

Have you guys been getting the rain storms that were predicted? How have you guys fared?

Naomi

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

It has been raining pretty much non-stop in Sac for about 1 full day. It stopped a bit a very short time yesterday! Should be interesting to see all of the new plants growing ! I just want the wind to STOP! They are predicting Thunderstorms today! The kids having inside recess are going NUTS!

 

[Sherry E]

Yes, I have been watching the weather out of SoCal. It is unbelievable!!! I even had to add the 7ABC news app to my iTouch so I could catch up on what is going on during the day. DH and I watched video of the 710 with all the people going under the underpass (and water) last night. After he went to bed, I watched the continuing coverage on the Weather Channel. Both of our states have been in drought for so long that this water (while good) is also bad because it is just running off and not soaking in where it is needed. I really hope that for all of our sakes that the projections are on the high side and that we get much less than what they are calling for.

We had our first blizzard in a decade in early Dec. We had 20.1 inches in 24 hours. The plows were able to keep up well enough for DH to be able to get to work. I hope that they are able to keep up with this next pass.

So for all of us out there in this...Keep Safe!

Naomi

Yes, exactly (about the rain run-off). Some people assume - probably because the newscasters make it seem this way - that as soon as we get any rain, it is immediately helping the drought situation (we are already under certain levels of water conservation right now - not at the most extreme level, but people who water their yards and things have to do it only at certain times of night or morning, or not at all). But the rain does not 'go' directly where it needs to go right away for that to happen. It does not get absorbed into the right areas where it can be used. The sidewalks and pavement can only absorb so much if the storm drains can't hold the water. So basically a lot of useless water just floats around, flooding the streets. And even the water that goes to the proper channels (so it can ultimately be integrated into our water supply) has to be treated and go through a process first, before it makes it to the water supply.

Well, I am hoping no one suffers too much damage in the way of flooding, mudslides, tornadoes or heavy wind, snow, etc., and that it will turn out to be not as bad as expected.

 

[Canyon girl]

Yes, exactly (about the rain run-off). Some people assume - probably because the newscasters make it seem this way - that as soon as we get any rain, it is immediately helping the drought situation (we are already under certain levels of water conservation right now - not at the most extreme level, but people who water their yards and things have to do it only at certain times of night or morning, or not at all).

I actually heard a news person say that this would take CA out of the drought situation. Just because you get the rain doesn't mean the drought goes away; especially, if the rain comes as it has (and will) this week. We also have been under the water conservation. Water the yard in the evening, one side of the street one day and the other side of the street the next day. The golf course waters with the stinky reclaimed water. Yuck!

Sherry, are you in an upper level apartment? Did you have any flooding in your immediate neighborhood yesterday? I really feel for those people that are being evacuated. I can't imagine the mountain literally coming down in your back yard and street. That guy that they have shown on the news that fashioned some sort of run off area in his back yard is just amazing. I'm the type that would just throw up my hands and move. I can't believe that he said that he will stay until the mountain starts moving into his yard.

Naomi

Naomi

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Have you guys been getting the rain storms that were predicted? How have you guys fared?

Naomi

Yes! Lots of rain...but then it just quits & is shiny again. It's almost monsoon-like bc we're getting hit hard in the evenings. Come morning, the sun is up again, not a cloud in sight! But it's now 11:30 & those clouds are starting to build again....

It was under 50 & I was outside in capris....still mild outside, for now.

 

[pixiewings71]

No worries-we all just know you are jealous!

Basically yes, I'm jealous of your weather. BUT at least I can drive in the rain!

Hey, I'm a UC Davis grad too and still remember that rain! Good times.

Small world isn't it? Did either of you ever go to the Grad? LOL

I actually heard a news person say that this would take CA out of the drought situation. Just because you get the rain doesn't mean the drought goes away; especially, if the rain comes as it has (and will) this week. We also have been under the water conservation. Water the yard in the evening, one side of the street one day and the other side of the street the next day. The golf course waters with the stinky reclaimed water. Yuck!

Sherry, are you in an upper level apartment? Did you have any flooding in your immediate neighborhood yesterday? I really feel for those people that are being evacuated. I can't imagine the mountain literally coming down in your back yard and street. That guy that they have shown on the news that fashioned some sort of run off area in his back yard is just amazing. I'm the type that would just throw up my hands and move. I can't believe that he said that he will stay until the mountain starts moving into his yard.

Naomi

Naomi

That's not a very smart news person. LOL Yes the rain will help but as Sherry said the drainage systems in So Cal suck so most of the rain will just disappear without being captured for use in So Cal. Altho we are having pouring rain in Nor Cal as well and our drainage systems are much better maintained so we can and will have more water available to send to So Cal. Maybe that's what the newscaster was thinking?

Naomi be careful!!! That's a LOT of snow!!!!

As for us in Nor Cal, it's wet wet wet out there!!! It rained most of yesterday and last night, and has rained most of today too. I guess there was thunder/lightning yesterday and my forecast on MSN shows the same for today. I stayed in my office yesterday, I brought lunch so no reason to go anywhere, today I might go out but I don't know just yet. It depends on what is going on when I am ready to go. I was thinking about getting a fresco taco from Taco Bell tho...those are good tacos!

 

[perlster]

really coming down hard now in L.A.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

Drought....No worries S. Cal people, we are getting your water right now up in N. Cal! Sac is pounding with pool water !!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I have not gotten the okay to post a link to a news site with photos from yesterday, but...

Costa Mesa had cars floating.
Tustin had cars with water halfway up the door.
Mission Viejo had big trees the fell through houses.
Long Beach had cars in parking lots covered in water up to the windshield.
Seal Beach had streets simply flooded.
710 fwy had to shut down (really not good) because a portion was flooded.

These are all cities within 45 minutes of Anaheim.

It's rain and wind together to a degree that has not happened in a long time around here.

- Dreams

 

[Sherry E]

I actually heard a news person say that this would take CA out of the drought situation. Just because you get the rain doesn't mean the drought goes away; especially, if the rain comes as it has (and will) this week. We also have been under the water conservation. Water the yard in the evening, one side of the street one day and the other side of the street the next day. The golf course waters with the stinky reclaimed water. Yuck!

Sherry, are you in an upper level apartment? Did you have any flooding in your immediate neighborhood yesterday? I really feel for those people that are being evacuated. I can't imagine the mountain literally coming down in your back yard and street. That guy that they have shown on the news that fashioned some sort of run off area in his back yard is just amazing. I'm the type that would just throw up my hands and move. I can't believe that he said that he will stay until the mountain starts moving into his yard.

Naomi

My apartment is on the first floor of apartments, BUT it is not ground level. There is a whole subterranean garage below my floor (where the laundry room is), so I am a bit elevated off of the ground. The garage will most likely get a bit flooded. If I recall, that happened in the past, during some really nasty El Nino rains. As far as this general neighborhood, the major streets and intersections do tend to flood, but it has never been quite to the level of what happened in Long Beach. My specific street has not had too many issues that I remember off hand, other than the subterranean garages getting flooded. So I would assume that folks in my building may want to move their cars out if it looks like the storm drains are not taking care of business.

So far, the rain is not bad here in my area of L.A. at all. It is just lightly raining. I know that won't last, though! I am waiting for the wind and everything to start. If it gets nasty, I am almost tempted to go and stand outside in it just to see what it is like! Maybe I will try to get a picture or two if I can keep my camera from getting waterlogged!

On a totally selfish note, I am also hoping the power does not go out - I don't want to miss my American Idol!!!

 

[Canyon girl]

My apartment is on the first floor of apartments, BUT it is not ground level. There is a whole subterranean garage below my floor (where the laundry room is), so I am a bit elevated off of the ground. The garage will most likely get a bit flooded. If I recall, that happened in the past, during some really nasty El Nino rains. As far as this general neighborhood, the major streets and intersections do tend to flood, but it has never been quite to the level of what happened in Long Beach. My specific street has not had too many issues that I remember off hand, other than the subterranean garages getting flooded. So I would assume that folks in my building may want to move their cars out if it looks like the storm drains are not taking care of business.

So far, the rain is not bad here in my area of L.A. at all. It is just lightly raining. I know that won't last, though! I am waiting for the wind and everything to start. If it gets nasty, I am almost tempted to go and stand outside in it just to see what it is like! Maybe I will try to get a picture or two if I can keep my camera from getting waterlogged!

On a totally selfish note, I am also hoping the power does not go out - I don't want to miss my American Idol!!!

I'm glad your area seems to be better than most! At least, your apartment is elevated; although, you might have to wait to do laundry. I don't want the electricity to go out, either! I'm not as concerned about the show as I am about the heat, but I have wood stacked up by the back door just in case. Be careful if you venture out in the nasty part. Watch out for flying debris like cars!

Naomi

 

[Canyon girl]

I have not gotten the okay to post a link to a news site with photos from yesterday, but...

Costa Mesa had cars floating.
Tustin had cars with water halfway up the door.
Mission Viejo had big trees the fell through houses.
Long Beach had cars in parking lots covered in water up to the windshield.
Seal Beach had streets simply flooded.
710 fwy had to shut down (really not good) because a portion was flooded.

These are all cities within 45 minutes of Anaheim.

It's rain and wind together to a degree that has not happened in a long time around here.

- Dreams

Dreams,

I don't see the problem with posting the link. We see links posted to other sites all the time, and this is not a competing site. I'm assuming that http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index is the one you were referencing. The pictures and videos are just AMAZING! I don't say this lightly because I grew up in tornado alley. I am used to seeing the chaos after tornadoes, but these SoCal pics and vids rival anything I have seen from tornadoes. Hopefully, this is the news site you wanted referenced. Stay safe!!!

Naomi

PS. Sherry can remove it if it is not ok.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh, I didn't even notice that Dreams wanted to post a link until now! Sorry, Dreams! I don't see why it would be a problem. If anything, it may help to keep some DLR-bound folks informed about what the conditions are like out there. But if I am wrong, then I am sure another mod will take care of it.

Now...as for the conditions outside...a little while ago, the rain was light (and it hits me just before it hits Orange County/Anaheim - our weather is usually lumped in with the Orange County weather). Then it became steady and heavier, and it has maintained that strength for a while now. Of course, Garth Kemp - one of the weather guys on KABC who is part of the Storm Watch/Storm Track team - just showed us a map with a big, ominous red spot covering a lot of territory. It is currently moving over Santa Barbara and working its way south. That big ol' red spot is the torrential rain and the heavy wind they have been threatening. Right now we are in a 'yellow spot' (that is the medium level of rainfall). Green spots are the lightest precipitation, I think (or is it blue?). Now, if the Red Spot just keeps a-movin' on through, it will be bad but not catastrophic. If the storm system stalls for some reason, then that is not good at all.

So the Red Spot should arrive in my neck o' the woods in a couple of hours, I suppose, and then it will hit Anaheim soon after that.