LA County Under Evacuation Warning Amid Storm
Los Angeles County has issued an evacuation warning for areas near recent wildfire burn scars due to a powerful storm system. Officials are concerned about the potential for debris flows and mudslides as heavy rainfall hits the region. Residents in the affected zones have been urged to prepare for possible mandatory evacuations.
- The evacuation warnings are specifically for areas near the Palisades, Sunset, and Hurst fire burn scars. The warning is in effect from 9 p.m. Sunday to 9 a.m. Tuesday due to the potential for mud and debris flows. - This storm is part of a series of wet weather events for the region, with the heaviest rainfall predicted between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday. A Flood Watch is in effect for all of Los Angeles from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, alongside a High Surf Advisory and a Wind Advisory. - The concern is heightened because several communities have already received a month's worth of rain in a single week, leaving soil saturated. Downtown Los Angeles has already surpassed its normal annual rainfall total with more than four months left in the season. - The Palisades Fire of January 2025 was a significant event, burning over 23,000 acres and destroying more than 6,800 structures in areas like Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. This fire is considered one of the most destructive in the city of Los Angeles's history. - In addition to the warnings for the Westside, evacuation warnings have also been issued for communities near the Eaton Fire burn scar in the San Gabriel Valley, including Pasadena and Altadena. - Debris flows can be triggered by as little as 0.3 inches of rainfall in 30 minutes on burn scars. These flows are a dangerous post-fire hazard that can move at high speeds, carrying soil, rocks, and burned vegetation. - The City of Los Angeles has activated its Emergency Operations Center and has crews on standby to respond to roadway impacts and monitor debris basins, particularly the 18 basins in the Palisades area. - State Route 27, also known as Topanga Canyon Boulevard, was preemptively closed on Sunday night by Caltrans due to the risk of mudslides in the area.
