Rain In Los Angeles: Flash Flooding Warning Issued In Southern California Amid Strong Winds

California has been getting an above average amount of rain lately, and now Los Angeles was forecast to be hit with some similarly inclement weather, as well.

A storm that was expected to be the worst in several years will be touching down in the Los Angeles area early Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. “Damaging winds” were predicted to last for about a 12-hour window, from about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to ABC 7 News meteorologist Mike Nicco.

Rainfall was expected to increase substantially in Orange and L.A. counties, which could see anywhere from three to five inches of rain and perhaps flash flooding by the evening, ABC News reported. High wind warnings, storm, flash flood and high surf warnings were issued throughout the Los Angeles area. Thunderstorm conditions could persist through Saturday with “...heavy rain with potential flash flooding across much of southwest California today through Saturday morning,” a weather advisory report stated. Even the desert areas could see one to two inches of rainfall.

Temperatures in Los Angeles and Orange counties were expected to range from 57 to 61 degrees, with valley and inland temperatures likely getting similar temperatures.

The heaviest rainfall will be expected to hit Los Angeles County, Ventura and Santa Barbara. In those areas, about one inch of rainfall an hour could happen.

Residents have been told to prepare for the heavy rains and to pack up anything that might be laying around outside, according to the L.A. Times.

Commutes in the morning and afterward were expected to be impacted due to the downpours.

“The afternoon commute is going to be a mess,” an Oxnard National Weather Service meteorologist, Kathy Hoxsie, said via the Los Times. “Hopefully people can take a half day off. Being a Friday, I know a lot of people do that anyway … The evening is shaping up to be nasty.”