Thunderstorms and strong winds in the  Santa Clarita weather forecast prompted a Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station special weather statement Sunday.

UPDATE:  The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood warning for a large portion of Southwest California that includes Santa Clarita and some recent burn areas.

The warning is expected to last until 10 p.m. Sunday Evening with rainfall potentially falling at rates of over 1 inch per hour in the watch area.

The possibility of thunderstorms also complicates things a bit bringing an increased risk of debris flow to some of the recent burn areas from the Whittier, Alamo, and La Tuna fires.

The National Weather Service instructs residents in these areas to take necessary steps to protect their property and remain alert and follow directions of emergency officials.

They also warn against driving into flooded intersections as most flood related fatalities occur in automobiles.

The Target Area:

Antelope Valley
Los Angeles County Mountains excluding the Santa Monica Range
Los Angeles County San Fernando Valley
Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley
Santa Barbara County Mountains
Santa Clarita Valley
Santa Ynez Valley
Ventura County Mountains

At 11:57 a.m., Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Sunland, about 10 miles north of Burbank.

This storm was moving west at 15 to 25 mph. Brief heavy rainfall with hourly rainfall rates possibly exceeding 1.5 inches. These rates may bring localized flash flooding.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will also be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include

1. Santa Clarita
2. Granada Hills
3. Sylmar
4. Pacoima
5. Sunland
6. San Fernando
7. Arleta
8. Panorama City
9. Sun Valley
10. Lakeview Terrace
11. Tujunga

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

Ed. Note: This above information was provided to KHTS by The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station.

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