Late-season storm brings mudslides, rain and snow to Southland

The rain causes mudslides in Orange County foothills hit by last year's fires. Flash-flood warnings are issued in parts of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Heavy rains and hail pounded parts of Southern California today, causing significant mudslides in parts of the Orange County foothills burned by last year's brush fires. Authorities were in the canyon area trying to determine whether any people were swept away in the slides. "We have a significant mud flow," said Mike Blawn, spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority. "Our units are in the area, but they have had to back out. There is a lot of debris moving." It's been a day of unusual weather in the region.

Southern California weather turned more capricious with snow falling in the San Bernardino Mountains, high surf pounding coastal areas and late-season rainstorms predicted into the weekend. Early morning snowfall in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles dusted some peaks but melted quickly at lower elevations. The National Weather Service predicted a chance of rain and thunderstorms in the region and cooler-than-average temperatures. Flash-flood warnings were issued for portions of San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside counties until early afternoon, and residents in burn areas were advised to be especially alert. Coastal areas of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties were under a surf advisory for wind-driven, 10- to 14-foot waves with some local sets to 18 feet.

_{Bron: LA-Times}