In Southern California, between 1 and 3 inches of rain fell in the Los Angeles Basin, Mike Wofford, a meteorologist for the weather service, told SFGATE Friday. Downtown Los Angeles received 2.94 inches of rain. The highest totals were reported in the mountains, ranging from 3 to 6 inches.

Debris flows brought on by the strongest atmospheric river of the season swept a car off a southern California highway and into the ocean and left roads submerged in sludge.

A powerful storm is bearing down on California as an atmospheric river drops through the state. While the fast-moving system will affect nearly the entire state on Thursday, of high concern is Southern California as intense rains fall on the heels of devastating wildfires — downpours that could trigger damaging floods and debris flows.