Southern California may see a wet Christmas this year. A storm has already dumped more than 7 inches of rain in the region. And there is no real end in sight.

The unending storm has already caused minor mudslides, downed trees, and car accidents.

More than three additional inches of rain expected across the region by Wednesday will hit already saturated hillsides, increasing the possibility of mudslides and flash floods, said Stuart Seto of the National Weather Service.

A flash-flood warning is also in effect, particularly in the mountain areas burned in recent years by wildfires.

The weather service said rainfall accumulation could reach 20 inches in some isolated locations by Wednesday, when the first phase of the storm is expected to pass. After a brief respite, it is forecast to return late Christmas Day.

Residents of La Canada Flintridge were among those keeping an eye on the rain. More than 40 homes in the hillside city just north of Los Angeles were damaged or destroyed by a mudslide in February.

"We are holding up," said resident Lien Yang, who added he was warned to be prepared to evacuate. "It's coming down steady but not pouring. Therefore it doesn't cause a mud flow or flooding or anything like that. Hopefully, it's winding down and we'll have no threat this time."