The warning, issued by the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles/Oxnard office, remains in effect until noon PST and covers central and northern Ventura County along with southern portions of Santa Barbara County. Forecasters said heavy rain and thunderstorms detected by radar and rain gauges were producing intense rainfall capable of triggering dangerous flash flooding, mudslides, and rockfalls.
Communities including Fillmore, Ojai, Santa Paula, and areas near Highway 101 in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties were identified as particularly vulnerable. Officials warned that creeks, streams, urban areas, and low-lying roads could flood quickly, often with little or no warning.
Emergency officials urged residents to avoid driving through flooded roadways and to stay alert as conditions can change rapidly. Authorities emphasized that even normally dry areas could become hazardous in a short period of time.
The storm system, fueled by a strong atmospheric river, has brought widespread heavy rain across Southern California as the holiday period begins. Forecasts indicate periods of intense rainfall could continue through Christmas Day, increasing the risk of travel disruptions and flooding.
Additional advisories and evacuation notices have been issued for burn scar areas and other high-risk zones in Ventura County, where saturated ground raises concerns about rapid runoff and debris flows.
Officials advised residents to closely monitor weather alerts, limit travel during heavy rain, and be prepared to act quickly if flooding or debris movement threatens their area.
