For the second time this year, Southern Californians are evacuating their homes as heavy rain threatens new destruction in areas still recovering from last month’s devastating wildfires.

Thousands have been told to evacuate on Thursday, as fears mount over potentially life-threatening flash flooding and debris flow from burn scars caused by recent wildfires.

Residents in burn areas should remain on high alert as Southern California prepares for what is forecast to be the heaviest storm of the season so far, and which could prompt evacuations, officials said Wednesday,

Crews have rushed to clear out basins designed to catch mud, rocks and other debris from tumbling into neighborhoods as damaging rains approach.

Two significant storms are hitting two different parts of the country at the same time as a frenzied weather pattern shows no signs of stopping.