The West Coast is bracing for significant Atmospheric River events expected to bring heavy rain and snow, posing risks of flash floods and power outages. With evacuation warnings in effect for areas affected by recent wildfires, meteorologists predict up to four inches of rain overnight and strong winds reaching 70 mph. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged residents to heed weather warnings, as the storm could impact the entire city, not just burned regions. City crews have installed thousands of concrete barriers and sandbags to mitigate mudflows. The National Weather Service has issued flood monitoring for Los Angeles until at least Thursday evening and cautioned about the potential for pea-sized hail starting early Thursday morning.
Mandatory evacuations are already in place in parts of Sierra Madre due to recent mudflows, while some Malibu schools have closed because of road conditions. The situation could worsen with a second severe storm anticipated to hit on Friday, bringing additional rain and snow. This same weather system is expected to affect various regions across the Midwest, including risks of severe thunderstorms and potential tornadoes. Overall, the dynamic weather pattern is causing concerns about flooding and fire risks in multiple areas, further complicating conditions in the affected regions.
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