Pasadena Gets Nearly A Month’s Worth of Rain in 24 Hours, County Declares State of Emergency

Pasadena weathered a massive storm that slammed into the Southland on Sunday with “no significant events,” according to a City spokesperson. Other areas in L.A. County suffered extensive damage.

As of 4 a.m., the National Weather Service reported Eaton Wash had received 3.87 inches of rain over the past 24 hours — Pasadena historically averages 3.8 inches of rain for the entire month of January, according to City records.

“We encourage the public to allow extra commute time if they need to be on the road, follow directions from emergency authorities and continue to monitor City social media and local news for the most updated information,” City Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian told Pasadena Now early Monday.

Both Pasadena Unified School District and Pasadena City College said their campuses would be open Monday.

“At this time, we plan for all schools to be open on their normal schedules,” Pasadena Unified School District Interim Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco said in an email Sunday night shortly before 8 p.m.

“If anything changes overnight, we will notify you immediately via email, texts, phone calls, website, and district social media,” Blanco said.

Local nonprofit Friends in Deed operates bad weather shelters, which provide refuge during severe weather conditions for people experiencing homelessness in Pasadena.

“We will have our bad weather shelter open in the evenings as usual, and we are offering extended hours for the next few days, based on the severity of the storm as it progresses,” said Rabbi Joshua Grater, Executive Director.

Grater said Friends in Deed would not be able to accommodate people from outside Pasadena in its shelters.

Trash will be collected today in Pasadena according to the regular schedule, Derderian said.

A flash flood warning went into effect in Pasadena on Sunday afternoon.

Officials warned the storm increased the chance of downed or damaged wires and urged people to never approach or touch a downed or dangling wire, but to call 911 and report it immediately.

The multiple-day storm could drop 4 to 8 inches of rain in the San Gabriel Valley, forecasters said.

Elsewhere, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in eight counties in the state, including Los Angeles and Orange counties. The County of Los Angeles later declared its own state of emergency.

The emergency proclamation will help expedite procurement of vital supplies and resources, deployment of disaster service workers and the use of emergency protective measures such as evacuation orders.

The wet weather pattern will continue into Tuesday evening, with periods of rain anticipated to continue. Drier conditions are expected by Wednesday, but a chance of showers will still linger, forecasters said.

Here is the most recent National Weather Service forecast for Pasadena as of 3:33 a.m. Monday:

Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 58. East southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Monday Night: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4am. Low around 48. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 p.m, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Thursday: A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Friday: A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 64.