March A Fairweather Friend As Serious Storms Hit East And West Coasts

No matter the adage or that the calendar tells us spring has sprung, March is still roaring like a lion on both sides of the country. On Wednesday, the West Coast braced for potential mudslides and flooding following heavy rain, and much of the East Coast dealt with a major snowstorm.

Southern California was on alert Wednesday as thousands of people evacuated their homes. Heavy rain combined with denuded land and loosened soil from recent wildfires made for a dangerous mix.

A flash flood watch was in effect for the region into Thursday, and forecasters called for several inches of rain from "a large and powerful storm system," with warnings that debris flow was likely.

Officials said a portion of State Route 33 in Ventura County was closed Wednesday because mud and debris flows.

In Los Angeles, the fire department was offering free sandbags and urging residents to remain alert. Officials called for evacuations beginning 6 p.m. local time for burn areas from recent fires.

Mudslides have already been a scourge in nearby Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, where the Thomas Fire was contained earlier this year. The state's largest wildfire on record burned for weeks, ravaging hillsides and leading to January's deadly mudslides.

On Tuesday, officials in Santa Barbara County issued a mandatory evacuation order for people in risk areas. - Read More

March A Fairweather Friend As Serious Storms Hit East And West Coasts