‘Threat to life’: Flash flood warnings in effect in Los Angeles

A dangerous mix of scorched terrain from the recent wildfires in Los Angeles and heavy rain is expected to create dangerous flash flooding conditions. landslides and the debris will flow until Monday.

A flood alert has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Los Angeles for the Eaton, Palisades, Franklin, Bridge and Hughes burn scars. The watch is expected to remain in effect until Monday afternoon Pacific Time.

Residents in the areas covered by the warnings are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and “be prepared to take action should flooding occur.”

Why this matters

The land devastated by the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles now faces a new “life-threatening“Risk of natural disasters. Without vegetation to stabilize the soil, rain falls on burn scars makes the terrain very susceptible to flash floods, debris flows and landslides.

Torrents of mud, water and rocks can cascade down hillsides, causing road closures, property damage and significant threats to human life.

Burn scars can take years to heal, leaving densely populated areas of Southern California at prolonged risk, especially if heavy rains occur in the future.

What to know

A slow-moving weather system is forecast to bring heavy rain and snow to the mountains of the southwestern U.S. on Monday and Tuesday before moving toward the southern plains, according to the NWS.

The areas burned by the recent fires now cover more than 57,000 acresAnd although the rain has brought some relief to those fighting the flames, landslides are already wreaking havoc on some roads in the area.

Mudflows in the Palisades burn area forced several road closures Sunday, including on Palisades Drive and parts of the Pacific Coast Highway. Both roads appear to have been reopened, according to the California Department of Transportation Travel Alert Map.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has advised residents not to drive or walk through floodwaters, to stay away from burned areas and slopes, to stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts, and if necessary. possible, to remain indoors until conditions improve.

What people say

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr said in a media advisory: “Too much rain falling too quickly on burn-scarred areas could cause serious problems. The intense flames and heat from recent wildfires have weakened and destroyed the vegetation that anchors the soil. Precipitation that would normally be absorbed by the soil can quickly drain through the burned areas.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said: “With rain in the forecast, it is important to remain alert to the increased risk of debris flows in areas recently impacted by wildfires in Los Angeles. These rapid flows of mud, rocks and debris can pose serious dangers to roads and homes. Stay prepared and alert!”

What happens next?

The system bringing heavy rain to Southern California is forecast to move away from the region by midweek, reducing the immediate risk of mudslides and flash flooding.

However, as burn scars can take several years to fully recover after a fire, more heavy rainfall in the future is likely to create more warnings and dangers for area residents.

Meanwhile, firefighters continue to battle what remains of the Palisades, Eaton and Hughes fires, which are now more than 90 percent contained.

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