LOS ANGELES — Evacuation orders were slowly lifted as rain from the multiple-day storm began to ease, but residents were still urged to remain prepared in case the threat of mudslides, flooding and debris flows returns, and evacuation warnings in some areas remain in place Wednesday.

Residents in the La Tuna Canyon area had been under an evacuation order since the storm began, but the order was lifted late Tuesday afternoon.

"The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has downgraded this site to a Phase 2 from a Phase 3," according to a statement from Los Angeles city Emergency Management officials "According to the LACDPW, Phase 2 indicates that 'moderate debris and mudflows are possible at more widespread locations.' Due to this downgrade, City of Los Angeles departments conducted a land survey of the evacuated area to confirm the county's assessment and concluded that the residents may return home."

The affected area was roughly bounded by Horse Haven Street to the north, Martindale Avenue to the east, Penrose Street to the south, and Ledge Avenue to the west, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

An evacuation center for residents that was opened at Stonehurst Recreation Center was closed Tuesday afternoon. Large animals evacuation centers at Hansen Dam Horse Park at 11127 Orcas Ave. in Lake View Terrace, and the LA Equestrian Center at 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank will remain open until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

"The La Tuna Canyon Evacuation Order has been lifted and LAPD will remove all hard closures," LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said in a statement. "As residents return to their homes, we urge them to exercise caution as the water-soaked hillsides will continue to pose a mudslide threat for days after the rain stops. We ask residents to remain vigilant and stay informed via LAFD.org and NotifyLA."

Evacuation orders that had been issued for the Agua Fire burn area along Soledad Canyon Road east of Agua Dulce Canyon Road and the Owen Fire burn area, on Santa Maria Road north of Topanga Canyon in the Topanga area, were both reduced Tuesday afternoon to evacuation warnings, although residents were still urged to be prepared to leave if needed.

Additionally, evacuation warnings were issued for areas of unincorporated Los Angeles County near burn scars, including the Juniper Hills and Valyermo areas from the Bobcat Fire, and the following areas of Lake Hughes and King Canyon from the Lake Fire:

• 20000 block of Pine Canyon Road
• 18000 block of Ellstree Drive
• 46000 block of Kings Canyon Road
• 18000 block of Newvale Drive
• 43000 block of Lake Hughes Road

In Orange County, a voluntary evacuation warning remains in effect for Silverado, Williams, Modjeska and Trabuco canyons due to heavy rains. A map with detailed depictions of the areas under evacuation warnings can be found here.

Canyon residents were encouraged to prepare and voluntarily evacuate, especially those with disabilities, access and/or functional needs, and canyon residents with large animals.

Any residents with disabilities and those with access and/or functional needs requiring evacuation assistance were asked to call Orange County Sheriff's Department Dispatch at 714-647-7000.

Orange County Animal Care encouraged animal owners in voluntary evacuation areas to implement their personal evacuation plans. Pet evacuation tips are available here. Any person needing assistance with information about animal or large animal evacuations should call Orange County Animal Care at 714-935-6848 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 714-259-1122 after-hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.