The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — A powerful storm slammed into the state Monday, producing heavy rain that snarled traffic all over Southern California and forced hundreds to flee homes in a suburb devastated by wildfires just last month.
At higher elevations, heavy snow in a mountain pass east of Los Angeles closed the main route connecting Las Vegas to Southern California. North of the city, the main route to San Francisco was snarled by snow that forced the state Highway Patrol to shepherd motorists across another pass in caravans.
In the San Diego area, at least one person was killed when an armored truck slid off a wet highway and rolled down an embankment, the Highway Patrol said.
In Yorba Linda, where 100 homes were lost to a wildfire last month, hundreds of homes in canyon areas on the east end of town were ordered evacuated Monday morning because of the threat of mudslides. Residents had been advised to leave as early as Sunday night and an evacuation center was opened.
“It is mandatory now, unknown duration,” said Brea police Lt. Jim Tibbetts.
The storm was part of the same weather system that brought heavy snow to Portland, Ore., on Sunday, snarling traffic and delaying airline flights, said Steven Van Horn, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
“It’s making it’s way south down the West Coast,” Van Horn said. “It’s going to be the cause for any sort of showers we will have now through Wednesday.”
Rainfall totals for Southern California on Monday morning ranged from 1 inch at Moorpark to nearly 2 inches at Glendale. Snow was falling in areas above 3,000 feet. The Lockwood Valley in the mountains of Ventura County had been hit with 8 inches by midmorning.
The storm was expected to linger in the area through Wednesday, Van Horn said, although showers were expected to be scattered and lighter on Tuesday and Wednesday.