After respite from rain, risk of floods, mudslide persists

Region's precipitation will lighten, with a sunny, cool weekend forecast

- BY HOWARD BLUME AND SANDRA MCDONALD

ERIC THAYER Los Angeles Times

MISTY CHEN surveys flood damage to her home in Wrightwood, Calif. The problem began Christmas Eve.

The heaviest part of a storm system that pummeled the Los Angeles area and other parts of the Southland subsided Thursday, but off-and-on showers and thunderstorms hit some areas, locally heavy at times, with persisting risks from flooding as well as mudslides in recent burn areas, including from the Palisades and Eaton fires.

The forecast and heavy rains prompted L.A. Mayor Karen Bass to issue a declaration of emergency. A flood watch remained in effect for major portions of L.A. County through 6 p.m. on Friday.

The forecast for Thursday night was a 90% chance of showers and 70% during daylight hours on Friday. By Friday night, the rain is expected to peter out.

L.A. appears headed for a sunny, cool postcard weekend — with temperatures as high as 64 degrees.

MYUNG J. CHUN Los Angeles Times

SPECTATORS stop by to record the Santa Clara River flowing on Christmas Eve.

"We will finally dry out once again Saturday afternoon," said Kyle Wheeler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

However, Wheeler also cautioned that the lighter rain on Friday poses risk because the ground is already saturated throughout much of the Southland.