By Mary O’KEEFE

The rain has brought problems to the freeways and some power outages but local mountains in the Station Fire area seem to be holding as Crescenta Valley residents wait for more rain to move through.

“There are a few bands [of storm] to move through. The most intense was last night; now we will have a little break,” said Ryan Kittell, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, Oxnard.

At 10:50 a.m. part two of this winter storm had reached Santa Barbara County and is expected to reach the Crescenta Valley area this evening.

“We are seeing a few lightening strikes [with this storm]. The rain is not steady or long term but [is coming] in bursts,” Kittell said.

The third and final band of the storm is expected Saturday.

A flash flood watch was raised to a warning at about 10:30 a.m. due to the intensity of rain that fell over the burned mountain areas from fires like the Colby, Madre, Madison and Williams. The warning will last until 12:30 p.m.

Kittell said the area of the Station Fire is being watched but no special warnings have been issued.

The Dept. of Public Works is also keeping a watchful eye on the Station Fire area.

Crescenta Valley and La Cañada residents have protected their homes with sandbags and some K-rails are still in place. All remember the floods shortly after the Station Fire and are concerned.

“They have every right to be concerned, it is a heavy storm,” said Bob Spencer, spokesperson for Public Works. “We are monitoring [the area].”

At last count, he said, Public Works has 250 personnel throughout the county watching everything especially in the burn areas.

The mudflows in the Station Fire area are “routine” with no large flows at present but Public Works is still out there.

“You are still at risk,” he said.

La Cañada Flintridge saw some power outages that affected the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.

The roads are the real issue along the Foothill (210) freeway. Two jack- knifed big rigs have closed lanes and slowed traffic for eastbound travelers.

A big rig hit the center divider of the 210 freeway at about 4:30 a.m. this morning. California Highway Patrol closed all but the right shoulder to traffic. At 11 a.m. lanes one, two and three were opened.

Another big rig accident also on the eastbound 210 freeway occurred at La Tuna Canyon. The left two lanes were still closed at 11 a.m.