Flood Watches Posted for Southern California

Last month it was fires and now it is flooding.

Officials in Southern California are warning residents of the potential for flooding as a cold, wet and windy storm intensified early Monday, threatening flooding in Southern California burn areas and causing slick driving conditions.

The California Highway Patrol had reported more than three dozen traffic collisions on local freeways overnight, while large amounts of snow has forced the closure of Interstate 15 through the Cajon Pass. Flooding was also noted along the 105 Freeway near LAX and the 118 Freeway in Chatsworth.

The storm is expected to deposit up nearly three-quarters of an inch to 1 1/2 inches of rain on coastal and valley areas and up to twice that amount on the foothills and mountains.

Areas in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties that were impacted by recent wildfires are also being closely watched.

Homeowners and residents in all recent burn areas were encouraged to prepare their properties ahead of the rainstorms by getting sandbags from Los Angeles City Fire stations. Fire officials note when sandbags are filled and deployed properly, they redirect water and debris flows away from homes and property.

Residents will not be able to rest after Monday's storm, as another storm is possible Tuesday night and Wednesday.