LOS ANGELES (AP) — A rare October storm pummeled Southern California with several inches of rain on Tuesday, swelling rivers, causing freeway accidents and prompting evacuations in wildfire-scarred neighborhoods where the threat of mudslides was high.

The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings in several counties where recent fires left hillsides without vegetation to hold soil in place, making it easier for the terrain to loosen during storms.

By Tuesday afternoon, most areas had recorded up to 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) of rain, according to the National Weather Service for Los Angeles. Over 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) fell in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of LA.

Firefighters rescued two people and two dogs from the swollen Los Angeles River. A 45-year-old man wa

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