UPDATED with latest: Even before the first drop of rain falls, the impacts of the coming storm are already beginning to be felt across Los Angeles.
With 1.5 inches of rain forecast to fall in Los Angeles later today — and 2-4 inches in the mountains and foothills — officials have issued evacuation warnings for debris flows near recent burn areas from 10 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Los Angeles County Supervisors Chair Katheryn Barger issued a statement a little after 4 p.m. today.
If issued, nearly 400 properties could fall under mandatory evacuation.
Those blazes were primed by growth from a 2022 wet season that registered a total of 28.40 inches of rainfall in the Los Angeles region, followed by 25.19 inches during the year 2023.
UPDATED with latest: Los Angeles is already feeling the effects of the impending storm before the first drop of rain even falls.
Among them:.
Back at 4:18 p.m. M. The first significant rain in over six months will help supply much-needed moisture ahead of the fall fire season, but it may also result in mudflows around the burn scars from last season’s massive fires. This is a good-and-bad news combination that is common in Southern California.
Authorities have issued evacuation warnings for debris flows near recent burn areas starting at 10 p.m., with 1 to 5 inches of rain expected to fall in Los Angeles later today and 2-4 inches in the mountains and foothills. M. till six a.m. tonight. A. Wednesday. It is recommended that residents of the areas burned by this year’s Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire in Sylmar, and Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills be ready to leave as soon as an evacuation order is given.
View details about the storm in the following graphic.
A wind advisory was issued by the National Weather Service for a large portion of L. 1. and Ventura counties are warning of “Southwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph,” which are “strongest in the hills and peaks.”. A warning about possible tornadoes or thunderstorms was also issued.
Additionally, the NWS recently issued an alert that states, “There is a greater chance of significant/damaging debris flows in and below recent burn scars, particularly the Eaton, Palisades, and Bridge scars.”. If you reside in or close to a recent burn scar, heed police advice and restrict your travel to prevent flooding, debris flows, and mud flows. “”.
The graphic below provides details on when rain is expected.
Katheryn Barger, chair of the Los Angeles County Supervisors, released a statement shortly after 4 p.m. A. today. According to county officials, it stated that “the storm’s intensity has increased” and that evacuation orders might be imminent, at least for the Eaton Canyon/Altadena area, which is under Barger’s jurisdiction.
“County emergency officials are working hard to decide when to issue official orders and what to do next. Nearly 400 properties might be required to evacuate if it were issued. She wrote, “A large number of these are standing homes in high-risk burn areas.
Barger continued, “I understand that requesting residents to vacate their homes is challenging and disruptive.”. However, I would prefer that people be temporarily moved rather than placed in danger. If you are in an evacuation warning zone, please get ready now so you are ready to leave as soon as an order is given. “.”.
On the plus side, the rain should prevent another fire outbreak like the ones that occurred in January of this year. The 2022 wet season, which brought 28–40 inches of rain to the Los Angeles area, and the 2023 wet season, which brought 25–19 inches, served as fuel for those fires. About 14 inches is the seasonal average. The crucial point is that in 2024, the area saw moderate drought conditions, including eight months without any discernible rainfall prior to the fire season, which dried out that growth.
A deluge and mudflows that increased the damage caused by the fires occurred in the Palisades and Eaton Fire burn areas approximately seven months ago. Even though the impending precipitation is hazardous in and of itself, it may stop the wet-dry fire cycle from happening again as the area enters fall and prepares for winter rains.
Part of this report was produced by City News Service.
