The Los Angeles area is preparing for the tail end of an atmospheric river that will bring "beneficial rain," forecasters say.

After Wednesday's rain tapers off, the region will see "a brief 18-24-hour break" before a second "non-atmospheric river" storm moves in Thursday night into Friday, according to the weather service.

Due to the rain expected this week, protective measures including K-rails and sandbags have been placed near hillsides and around homes to keep the debris and mud from causing catastrophic damage to the homes still standing.