Powerful winter storm hits California

Flooded streets near downtown L.A.

Heavy rain, strong winds and flooding - no weather conditions to wear a T-Shirt in these days:

A slow-moving storm walloped Southern California on Tuesday, dumping record rainfall on some communities, and forecasters expect the wet weather to continue through New Year's Day. More than 4 inches of rain fell at Chatsworth Reservoir in the 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Tuesday, while nearly 4 inches fell at the Hansen Dam Reservoir during that same time. Upper Matilija Canyon in the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County received nearly 14 inches. Downtown Los Angeles got a record 4.32 inches of rain by Tuesday afternoon, more than doubling the 2.09 inches set December 28, 1931. "This was a real energetic piece of work by Mother Nature," said Bill Hoffer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "Everyone is always saying we need rain - well, here it is." Plus: A small tornado hits Southwest Los Angeles.