Rainstorms threaten fire burn scar areas, state and local resources in place
Ahead of the upcoming storm, state and local efforts are underway to protect fire burn scar communities.
According to the National Weather Service, widespread rain is expected early Wednesday through Friday for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties with 1 to 3 inches of precipitation forecasted.
A flash flood watch will go into effect Thursday afternoon. Ariel Cohen with NWS said the greatest concern is a 12-hour window from 2 p.m. Thursday through 2 a.m. Friday, as bursts of heavy rain move across the region.
With burn scars across the area and the rain having more of a bursting character, "we're looking at very intense rainfall rates bringing the potential for significant debris flows." Cohen gave a 50 to 70 percent chance of that happening. After a fire, soil can develop a top layer that repels water, resulting in flooding and debris flows, according to the California Office of Emergency Services.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Tuesday morning that the city has erosion control measures in place in the Palisades Fire area including more than 7,500 feet of concrete barriers and 6,500 sandbags. She said sandbags are available for residents at fire stations, and to visit lafd.org to find locations. Countywide, sandbag locations can be found here.
She also said city departments are on high alert. The Sanitation Bureau has activated its wet weather plan, with trucks, generators and other equipment ready to go. The Department of Water and Power crews will be on standby to respond to any citywide outages. "So please look for urgent alerts that might be sent to you via text, emailed and phoned through notifyla.org," Bass said.
According to the Governor's Office, emergency protection materials such as straw wattles, compost silt socks, and silt fences have been installed to contain hazardous materials from the Eaton and Palisades Fires from entering creeks, rivers, and other bodies of water.
Over the last month, the state's Debris Flow Task Force has completed debris basin clean-up and is placing K-rails in key locations to divert debris flow – sandbags and super sacks have also been laid out.
Caltrans is placing erosion control devices, including wattles, to limit mudflows and is monitoring for rocks and other debris from slopes along Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
In burn scar areas, officials recommend preparing for possible sudden debris flows by having a go-bag packed and knowing evacuation routes.
"Given the elevated chances for significant debris flows consisting of raging torrents of rockslides and mudslides that can be damaging and even deadly, now is the time to start getting prepared for these potentially dangerous conditions," Cohen said. He also warned of potential wind gusts during the rain bursts.
During a visit to Altadena on Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that phase 2, debris removal, officially is beginning at a property in the Eaton Fire zone.
He commented on the speed of the rebuilding process so far, saying it's unprecedented in California history. He thanked President Trump for coordination efforts. "This is twice as fast as the Woolsey Fire debris removal, the fire in 2018. Faster still than even Paradise (fire)," Newsom said.
As far as the upcoming storm, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Major General Jason E. Kelly said he does expect work to slow down. "We are active and getting after it, and anticipate no impacts."
The Governor's Office said the California National Guard has 70 soldiers and heavy engineering equipment on standby in Los Alamitos for debris removal, it it's needed.
Cal OES is also prepositioning fire resources in Los Angeles County, including 10 engines, two dozers, a helicopter with four rescue swimmers, two hand crews and a dispatcher.
