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Rain heightens flood, mudslide dangers for Los Angeles’ burn areas – Jobsmaa.com

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Officials on Sunday warned of an increased risk of mudslides in burning areas of Los Angeles County, with a 10% to 20% chance of significant flash flooding and debris flows from the wildfire.

“It's the worst-case scenario to be prepared for,” said Kristen Lund, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

“We are very concerned about burn scars,” Lund said. The burn footprint of the Eaton Fire, which has blackened more than 14,000 acres, is particularly worrying. “These flash floods and these debris flows can happen near or below these burn scars.”

This article is provided free of charge to help keep our community safe and supported during these devastating fires.

A flood watch was issued at 10 a.m. Sunday and continued until 4 p.m. Monday for areas affected by the Eden Fire in the Altadena and Pasadena areas; the Palisades and Franklin fires in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas; Hughes Fire around Castaic Lake; Bridge Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains west and southwest of Wrightwood. The flood watch begins six hours earlier than originally expected.

“There will be a high risk of debris flows Sunday after 4 p.m.,” the weather service said.

If you're good enough for a burn scar, Lund said, “pretend to be you.” However, a town like Montebello — about 10 miles from the burned area of ​​the Eaton fire — is not considered close.

Burn scars

(National Weather Service)

“If you're close to the fire, you want to be on the prepared side,” Lund said. The steps people can take are to avoid being in or around the area from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon; Use of sandbags to protect property; Also, for people who decide to stay, if storage of goods on road access is prevented.

A “landslide” is an all-encompassing term that can describe any downward movement of rock, dirt, or debris. A “debris flow” can occur when water flows rapidly downstream, picking up rocks, branches, and sometimes massive boulders in addition to soil. It is also considered a type of shallow landslide that can occur with deadly force.

Animated illustration showing a debris flow in action

Landslides are a hazard after wildfires because the heat from the fire drives soil to water. When precipitation is heavy—falling more than an inch per hour—rather than staying below the ground, it can begin to flow downward on the surface and pick up rocks and debris.

“It really has to do with the track of the storm,” Lund said. “They have the greatest potential for significant debris flows. They are the most recent burn scars; they are close to communities or vulnerable infrastructure.”

The orientation of the terrain is also vulnerable in this particular storm. Burn scars are over south-facing mountain slopes, and moisture from the storm is being pulled in from the south, forecasters say.

Those factors “could cause some more heavy rain in those areas,” Lund said.

Forecasted rainfall totals for the three-day storm continue to climb. Through Monday, Covina could receive 1.32 inches of rain; Downtown LA, 1.14 inches; Long Beach, 1.12 inches; Canoka Park, 1.05 inches; Santa Clarita, 1.04 inches; Fillmore, 1.02 inches; Redondo Beach, 0.95 inches; and Thousand Oaks, 0.87 inches.

Storm details

(National Weather Service)

In addition to the risk for debris flows, Lund said water levels over the ocean are likely, as well as damaging winds and strong thunderstorms.

Even if you don't see lightning or hear thunder, heavy rain can still happen. But if you see a thunderstorm, “you're going to have higher rainfall rates,” Lund said.

A 15% to 25% chance of thunderstorms in an area of ​​Southern California that includes areas that recently burned, said Carol Smith, a meteorologist with the weather service. Thunderstorms with a chance of up to half an inch of rain in isolated areas are possible.

Rainfall rates greater than one inch per hour can trigger debris flows in burned areas.

Smith said the area where the Palisades Fire is burning could see more than an inch of rain; An Eaton fire can reach up to 2 inches of burning area.

Thunderstorm

(National Weather Service)

Light rain started falling over the region on Saturday night.

The storm will bring the first significant rainfall of the year. Much of Southern California is in “severe drought.” US Drought Monitor.

Officers Advised residents in burning zones Use sandbags to protect runoff and property, clear drainage lines, observe evacuation orders and avoid debris-covered roads. They also said residents should keep trash cans and vehicles off the street to allow stormwater to travel freely and avoid contact with polluted runoff.

“If emergency officials tell you to avoid a certain area, please do it,” Smith said.

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