The Woolsey Fire charred nearly 100,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Authorities said mud and debris flows are a very realistic threat during storms.
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By 9:30 p.m., light rain started falling in Oak Park. Earlier in the evening, Josh Kaplan and his wife Kacy Grossman were getting ready for the storm's arrival by piling sandbags against the steep charred hillside behind their home in Agoura Hills.
Oak Park residents hit by Woolsey Fire equipped with sandbags amid rainstorm
Many were reminded of past tragedies like Montecito, where mudslides following the Thomas Fire left 21 people dead.
MORE: Southern California weather forecast
While many residents affected by the Woolsey Fire do what they can to protect property, some are prepared for the worst.
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"If they tell us to evacuate, we're going to go because that was the right decision when the fire came," said Kaplan. "It was painful to leave but we would say the same thing to anyone, 'When you're told to evacuate, evacuate."
There was moderate rainfall in Malibu, where a mother and daughter said they were putting out hot spots earlier in the day and felt the rain was a welcome sight. Still the fear of mudslides remained.
"I still have my things packed, just in case if we had to get out 'cause up there, it's very bad, it's actually...we have, what, three houses left there," said Malibu resident Chaya Krause.
Firefighters said it takes a half inch of rain an hour to create huge debris flow, but with slick roads and loose gravel, they're urging people to slow down on highways and get sandbags to divert water to existing storm drains for the coming weeks, as there is more rain in the forecast.
PHOTOS: Southern California wildfires
President Donald Trump visits a neighborhood impacted by the Woolsey Fire, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.none
President Donald Trump stands near a burned out vehicle as he visits a neighborhood impacted by the Woolsey Fire, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.none
President Donald Trump visits a neighborhood impacted by the Woolsey Fire, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.none
A fire-damaged Pacific Coast sign remains standing along the Pacific Coast Highway amid the blackened and charred hills from the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, California Nov. 15, 2018.none
Firefighters walk arrive at decimated Paramount Ranch for a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif.none
Power lines are repaired along the Pacific Coast Highway amid the blackened and charred hills from the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, California on November 15, 2018.none
A before photo is placed on the remains of a building leveled in the Woolsey Fire at decimated Paramount Ranch on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif.none
A burned car is seen crashed off the side of Mulholland Highway at night in the Santa Monica Mountains in the aftermath of the Woolsey Fire on November 14, 2018 near Malibu.none
The ruins of an ocean view home are seen in the aftermath of the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, California on November 14, 2018.none
Downed power lines and poles, casualties of the Woolsey Fire, on Busch Drive in Malibu, California on November 13, 2018.none
A car destroyed by the Woolsey Fire near Malibu, California on November 12, 2018.none
A large wildfire plume from a recent flareup near Lake Sherwood, Calif., is visible from Highway 101 north of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018.none
The ruins of a spiral staircase and a chimney are seen at a home destroyed by the Woolsey fire on Dume Drive in the Point Dume area of Malibu in Southern California on Nov. 13.none
A metal figure of a frog stands outside a home destroyed by the Woolsey fire on Dume Drive in the Point Dume area of Malibu in Southern California Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018.none
A mountain is seen through charred window frames of a mansion burned down by the Woolsey Fire Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif.none
Melted trash bins stand in front of a home burned down by the Woolsey Fire Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif.none
A melted fence runs along a hillside as firefighters continue to battle the Woolsey Fire burning in Southern California, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif.none
A home burned down by the Woolsey Fire sits on a hilltop overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif.none
A worker takes a break near a bridge destroyed by the heat from the Woolsey Fire, on November 12, 2018 in Cornell, California.none
The Malibu, Calif., villa of German TV presenter Thomas Gottschalk lies in ruins Tuesday, Nov. 13, 3018.none
Roger Kelton searches through the remains of his mother-in-law's home leveled by the Woolsey Fire, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in the southern California city of Agoura Hills.none
Surfboards are seen inside a destroyed Volkswagen van at a home destroyed by the Woolsey fire on Dume Drive in the Point Dume area of Malibu in Southern California Tuesday, Nov. 13none
Firefighters battle a fire along the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Simi Valley, Calif., Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.none
An air tanker drops water on a fire along the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Simi Valley, Calif., Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.AP
A firefighter battles a fire along the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Simi Valley, Calif., Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.none
A burned surfboard and a van are all that remain in the front of a destroyed home in the Point Dome neighborhood in Malibu, Calif., Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.none
A firefighting DC-10 makes a fire retardant drop over a wildfire in the mountains near Malibu Canyon Road in Malibu, Calif. on Sunday Nov. 11, 2018.none
Ricky Alvarado looks over the charred remains of his home at the Seminole Springs Mobile Home Park, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018.none
Burned trees surround a destroyed home leaving only the fireplace in Point Dume in Malibu, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018.none
Santos Alvarado, right, and his son Ricky recover a safe deposit box from their destroyed home at Seminole Springs Mobile Home Park, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018.none
An American flag is draped over the charred remains of an old pickup truck entering Point Dume along the pacific coast highway in Malibu, Calif., on Sunday Nov. 11, 2018.none
Dead Cactus Field in Malibu after the Woolsey Fire swept through it.none
Remains of a burnt car on the side of PCH after the Woolsey Fire swept through.none
A plane drops fire retardant on a burning hillside Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
A helicopter drops flame retardant on a wildfire on November 10, 2018, in Malibu, California.Creative Content
A structure and a motorcycle burn at an RV park during the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, California, November 10, 2018.Creative Content
A wildfire burns at the Salvation Army Camp on November 10, 2018, in Malibu, California.Creative Content
This photo shows the remains of a beachside luxury home along the Pacific Coast Highway community of Point Dume in Malibu, California, on November 11, 2018.Creative Content
Firefighters battle a blaze at the Salvation Army Camp on November 10, 2018, in Malibu, California.Creative Content
The remains of a luxury home stand amid burnt out tree trunks in the beachside community of Point Dume in Malibu, California.Creative Content
A firefighter monitors a wildfire burning along a hillside Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
A home burned down by a wildfire sits on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
Glass and plastic melted from intense heat are seen on a car on Windermere Drive in the Point Dume area of Malibu, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.AP
A home overlooking the Pacific Ocean is consumed by a wildfire Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
The sign is all that remains of Kristy's Roadhouse Malibu restaurant, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, after flames tore across hillsides in canyon areas in Agoura Hills, Calif.AP
Firefighters hose down hot spots on a wildfire-ravaged property Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
A wall and a window frame are all that remains one of at least 20 homes destroyed just on Windermere Drive in the Point Dume area of Malibu, Calif.AP
A firefighter hoses down hot spots on a wildfire-ravaged home Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
Firefighters Jason Toole, right, and Brent McGill with the Santa Barbara Fire Dept. walk among the ashes of a wildfire-ravaged home.AP
A house which was untouched sits on a hill behind burned palm trees lining the Pacific Coast Highway.AP
Molten aluminum has flowed from a car that burned in front of one of at least 20 homes destroyed just on Windermere Drive in the Point Dume area of Malibu, Calif.AP
Vehicles and a home are in ruins, one of at least 20 homes that were lost on Windermere Drive in the Point Dume area of Malibu, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.AP
Horses are tied to lifeguard booth on the beach in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 10, 2018.AP
Kevin Brown, with the Los Angeles Fire Dept., hoses down hot spots on a wildfire ravaged home Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
A home is spared after a wildfire swept through Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
Kevin Brown, with the Los Angeles Fire Dept., hoses down hot spots on a wildfire ravaged home Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
Lion statues guard the entrance of a wildfire ravaged home Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Malibu, Calif.AP
Park Billow, 27, sprays water on the hot spots in his backyard as the Woolsey Fire burns in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
Residents Damon Webb, left, and Brendon O'Neal clean up the road after the Woolsey fire burned in Malibu, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.AP
The charred remains of the burned out home are seen in Malibu, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.AP
The charred remains of the burned out home are seen in Malibu, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.AP
A firefighter keeps watch as the Woolsey Fire burns a home in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
Alexander Tobolsky, right, and his girl friend Dina Arias, return to his home where burned out by the fire in Malibu, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.AP
A firefighter battles the Woolsey Fire burning a home in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
A firefighter battles the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
Fires burn toward the ocean as seen Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, from a helicopter over the Topanga section of Los Angeles.AP
An air tanker drops flame retardant to protect homes as fires burn Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, as seen from a helicopter over the Calabasas section of Los Angeles.AP
Firefighters struggle to keep flames from a condominium complex on Pacific Coast Highway in the Point Dume area of Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
A Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter makes a water drop on flames behind a home in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
The Woolsey Fire burns a home in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
Palm trees frame a home being destroyed by a wildfire above Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
An air tanker gets ready to drop flame retardant to protect multimillion-dollar homes from fires Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, as seen from a helicopter.AP
A home burns Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, as seen from a helicopter in the Calabasas section of Los Angeles.AP
The Woolsey Fire burns a home near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
A helicopter drops water on a brush fire behind homes during the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
A helicopter drops water on a brush fire behind a home during the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
A firefighter sprays water on a burning home during the Woolsey fire in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
A DC-10 air tanker flies over homes as fires burn Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, as seen from a helicopter over the Calabasas section of Los Angeles.AP
The Woolsey Fire burns a home near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
The Woolsey Fire burns a home near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
Fires burn toward homes Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, as seen from a helicopter over the Calabasas section of Los Angeles.AP
A wildfire burns a home near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
The Woolsey fire burns a home near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
A wildfire burns a structure near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
Firefighters push a vehicle from a garage as the Woolsey fire burning a home near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
A fire burns a home near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
The Woolsey fire burns a home near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
The Woolsey fire burns a home near Malibu Lake in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.AP
The Hill wildfire burns in the predawn hours of Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, seen from Agoura Hills in Southern California.none
Smoke from the Hill Fire and the Woolsey Fire could be seen from the National Weather Service in Oxnard, California, the office posted on Friday.none
The Los Angeles County Fire Department shared this image of a firefighter battling the flames on Friday.none
Michael Zimmerman shared this photo on Twitter on Friday of the Woolsey Fire near Malibu.none
Mark Suster shared this image on Twitter on Friday of the Woolsey Fire near Malibu.none
The Woolsey Fire is seen looking towards the west valley area on November 9, 2018 in Porter Ranch, California.none
The Woolsey Fire is seen looking towards the west valley area on November 9, 2018 in Porter Ranch, California.none
The Woolsey Fire is seen looking towards the Oak Park area on November 9, 2018 in Porter Ranch, California.none
A police officer directs traffic at a checkpoint in front of an advancing wildfire Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, near Newbury Park, Calif.none
This photo of the Woolsey fire was taken near Hidden Hills, California.none
A police officer mans a checkpoint in front of an advancing wildfire Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, near Newbury Park, Calif.none
A wildfire comes down from a hilltop Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, near Newbury Park, Calif.none
A police officer mans a checkpoint in front of an advancing wildfire Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.none
Flames loom up several miles away, seen behind a home in Thousand Oaks, Calif., as a wind-driven wildfire known as the Hill fire threatens the area on Nov. 4.none