More rain on the way for Southern California communities – NBC Los Angeles

After heavy downpours arrived in many parts of Southern California, communities prepared for more rain to arrive in the afternoon of Christmas Day.

Two more rounds of rain were expected Thursday and Friday with a slight chance of thunderstorms, according to NBC Los Angeles Meteoreologist Belen de Leon. 

Although Thursday’s rain was not forecast to be as intense as Wednesday’s, forecasters and fire departments  warned that there could be more flash flooding with additional rainfall because the soils are already saturated.

“The flooding risk remains high as saturated ground means quick runoff,” de Leon explained. 

A flood watch was extended through Friday afternoon in much of Ventura and San Bernardino counties.

After a high surf advisory was issued for Ventura County through 11 a.m. Friday, the Ventura Pier was shut down through Saturday to allow crews to complete a safety inspection. 

A food watch also remained in effect for San Bernardino County mountain communities, including Wrightwood, Crestline, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead and Fontana. After first responders evacuated families from a Wrightwood neighborhood affected by a heavy mud and debris flow, officials urged those living in flood-prone areas to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. 

The evacuation orders that were issued for the communities north of Highway 2 to Palmdale Road west of Sheep Creek Road were downgraded to evacuation warnings Thursday. But officials also warned residents to be vigilant. 

The evacuation warnings for the communities of Forest Falls, Seven Oaks, Angelus Oaks, Northeast Yucaipa and areas of Oak Glen were lifted Thursday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.