Officials throughout Orange County Thursday prepared for this weekend’s expected storms, which are expected to dump at least a few inches of rain and spur high surf along the coast.
The National Weather Service forecasted showers before 10 a.m. Friday with heavy downpours expected at times. A breezy southeast wind of 15 to 20 mph could jump up to 25 mph by the afternoon with gusts as high as 40 mph, the weather service reported.
Possible thunderstorms may come through the county Friday night with winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
The rain will continue through Saturday before the skies clear up Sunday.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has been using social media as well as announcements from a helicopter to broadcast warnings to the homeless who live near the Santa Ana River bed, according to Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Mark Stichter.
The transients are being encouraged to move to the canyon area and elsewhere when the rain comes, he added.
Seal Beach officials are concerned “damaging surf along with gale force winds have potential to cause minor flooding on Saturday,” according to the police.
The weather service is warning of “potentially damaging surf late Saturday through early Sunday.” The highest surf could be Saturday afternoon with some sets reaching 15 feet.
Cities throughout the county are offering sandbags for residents.
The Orange County Sanitation District, asked residents to reduce water usage during the rain because, along with the stormwater, it can tax its system and “cause potential problems in the sewer lines and at the treatment facilities.”
—City News Service