The first substantial rain storm of the fall drenched much of the Southland overnight and past daybreak Tuesday, making for a treacherous morning rush hour and prompting evacuation orders and warnings near recent burn areas due to the threat of flooding and mud and debris flows.

By mid-morning Tuesday, some areas had received as much as three inches of rain, most notably in Southland foothills and mountains. National Weather Service forecasters said the storm was moving slower than originally anticipated, meaning “it may take well into the afternoon to exit L.A. County to the east.”

Driving on area freeways Tuesday morning was treacherous, with numerous spin-outs and collisions reported. The northbound Golden State (5) Freeway in the Sun Valley area flooded, leaving only one lane open. A

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