The second of three storms threatening the Southern California area has led to a high surf advisory along the Los Angeles County Coast and flash-flood watches throughout multiple mountain ranges, according to the National Weather Service.

South Bay residents were among the first drenched by the "Pineapple Express," the storm named for its subtropical moisture. Major flooding hit Torrance and Carson just after 5:15 p.m. Tuesday night prompting emergency crews to free immobile vehicles, though no injuries or major damage was reported.

Weather spotter in Torrance had 2.34" of rain in about 2 to 2 1/2 hours with storms over the area late today. #LArain #LAWeather

— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 17, 2014

Making the most of damaging flooding in #Torrance pic.twitter.com/YDbNcfkfBP — Leanne Suter (@ABC7Leanne) December 17, 2014

RT @JimCantore: NEW storm popping just southeast of Carson, CA #LARain pic.twitter.com/SHyizeFYJJ — The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) December 17, 2014

Southwest-facing beaches like Hermosa Beach carried waves reaching heights of eight feet, prompting lifeguards to warn of strong rip currents.

By 4 a.m. Wednesday morning, Los Angeles will be under heavy rainfall. The rain then moves to Orange and Inland Empire counties between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. where flash flood warnings were issued for Santa Ana Mountains and Riverside Mountains.

While the second storm is expected to produce less rainfall than the system that hit the Southland last week, the volume of predicted rain has homeowners in mudslide prone areas and wildfire-scarred mountains concerned.

In Glendora, where the Colby Fire led to mandatory evacuations, city officials ordered a yellow alert that directed residents to move their vehicles. A similar order was in effect in Camarillo Springs where then homes in a retirement community were red tagged after the hillside collapsed during last Friday's storm.

Wednesday's storm is expected to produce between one and two inches of rain in the foothills and mountains, and between a half-inch and an in in coastal and valley areas. Snow levels will fall to around 5,000 feet by Wednesday morning with potential to fall lower, according to the NWS.

A third- and less threatening- storm should arrive Friday, followed by scattered clouds and temperatures in the high 60s throughout the weekend.