STORM HEIGHTENS FLOOD, SLIDE FEARS; HEAVY RAIN IN FORECAST FOR REGION.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

Officials braced Monday for flash floods and mudslides as a powerful El Nino-related storm hit the Pacific coast, drenching Ventura County with heavy rain that is forecast to continue through midweek.

The storm is expected to dump 3 to 5 inches of rain along the coast and more than 5 inches at higher elevations, including Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, said Dennis Tussey, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

``This is a very large storm off the West Coast. It's a little more than your typical winter storm,'' Tussey said.

Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles counties were placed under flash flood watches, meaning flooding was possible. And swift-water rescue teams were on alert in Ventura and Los Angeles counties because of rain-swollen washes, creeks and rivers.

Huge waves battered the already damaged Ventura Pier and residents of La Conchita looked warily at the rain-soaked bluff looming over their homes. A huge slide in 1995 destroyed homes and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate.

Mudslides closed Highway 33 and Highway 150 near Ojai.

``We've had minor flooding calls and agricultural ditches overflowed in spots, but there's no major damage and no major flooding,'' said David Traub, spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department.

Red Cross and county officials responded to flood-related calls from beach-front neighborhoods like Mussel Shoal, where heavy surf threatened homes, and other flood-prone regions of the county.

``We have volunteers located throughout the county on standby, and we've moved some cots and blankets to various locations in preparation for any serious flooding that may occur,'' said Ann Sobel, executive director of the local Red Cross chapter.

Officials also monitored hillsides that could be weakened by the deluge, working with residents to lay sandbags and make other preparations to prevent mudslides and flooding.

Joe Luna, spokesman for the county Fire Department, said staffers are on call with heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, in case berms and other barriers need to be knocked down to ease the flow of water.

``We go through this every year in the wintertime, so it's not particularly new to Ventura County,'' Luna said, adding that residents need to make sure their storm drains are clear of debris and that they are supplied with sandbags and the proper equipment to protect their homes from the rain.

Bordering the county line, Agoura Hills residents can pick up free sandbags and sand at the Whizin's Shopping Center and at City Hall and local fire stations.

At Los Angeles County Fire Station No. 65 in Agoura, Capt. David Flagg helped pass out sandbags to local residents.

``The main thing is that residents with hillsides behind them are very careful to protect themselves, especially the low spots in their homes,'' said Flagg.

Luna urged residents living near creeks and other basins to stay away from flood control channels.

``It doesn't take a lot of water for these channels to become raging rivers. They can float a car away, not to mention a person trying to cross,'' he warned.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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5 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Firefighters Patrick Garvey, left, and Jason Swan load burlap bags in Agoura Hills.

(2--Color) A woman walks in the courtyard between City Hall and the library in Simi Valley.

(3--Color) Vehicles drive through a layer of mud at the intersection of Balcom Canyon Road and Highway 118.

(4) A flood sign warns motorists along Balcom Canyon Road at Highway 118 near Moorpark.

(5) Sand and bags are available at Fire Station No. 65 in Agoura Hills.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News