A powerful Pacific storm brought heavy rain, snow and tornados to Central and Southern California. Total rainfall amounts ranged from 2 to 8 inches on the coastal plain to between 6 and 13 inches in the mountains. With such heavy rain, there were many hydrologic problems. Urban flooding was widespread across all of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Flash flooding was reported in Santa Barbara county along Highway 101 at the Gaviota and Winchester exits. In Los Angeles county, flash flooding and debris flows in the mountains and Santa Clarita valley closed down Interstate 5 and Hasley Canyon Road. In Rancho Palos Verdes, a mudslide on 25th Street trapped two vehicles. In the mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, winter storm conditions prevailed. Between 12 and 36 inches of snow fell above the 5000 foot elevation while southeast winds between 30 and 50 mph with gusts to 75 mph resulted in near zero visibilities in blowing snow. On the coastal plain of Los Angeles county, weak tornados were reported in Long Beach, Inglewood and Whittier. The tornados only produced minor damage including downed trees and damaged roofs.

Heavy Rain in VENTURA, CALIFORNIA
From 27-DEC-04 13:00:00 to 29-DEC-04 18:00:00 (PST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Winter Storm in LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-DEC-04 17:00:00 to 29-DEC-04 18:00:00 (PST)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Flash Flood in SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
From 28-DEC-04 00:03:00 to 28-DEC-04 04:00:00 (PST)
Location: GAVIOTA
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Winter Storm in VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 27-DEC-04 13:00:00 to 29-DEC-04 18:00:00 (PST)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Heavy Rain in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 27-DEC-04 17:00:00 to 29-DEC-04 18:00:00 (PST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Flash Flood in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 29-DEC-04 02:27:00 to 29-DEC-04 04:00:00 (PST)
Location: NEWHALL RANCH
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Flash Flood in SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
From 28-DEC-04 02:41:00 to 28-DEC-04 04:00:00 (PST)
Location: ISLA VISTA
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Heavy Rain in SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
From 27-DEC-04 12:00:00 to 29-DEC-04 18:00:00 (PST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Tornado in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 29-DEC-04 00:15:00 to 29-DEC-04 00:22:00 (PST)
Location: WHITTIER
Tornado F-scale: F0
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

Heavy Rain in SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
From 27-DEC-04 12:00:00 to 28-DEC-04 04:00:00 (PST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Flash Flood in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 29-DEC-04 05:22:00 to 29-DEC-04 08:00:00 (PST)
Location: CASTAIC
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Debris Flow in LOS ANGELES COUNTY COASTS INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 29-DEC-04 08:10:00 to 29-DEC-04 09:30:00 (PST)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Tornado in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 28-DEC-04 22:40:00 to 28-DEC-04 23:00:00 (PST)
Location: LONG BEACH
Tornado F-scale: F0
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

Tornado in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 29-DEC-04 00:15:00 to 29-DEC-04 00:20:00 (PST)
Location: INGLEWOOD
Tornado F-scale: F0
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY