A man was watering his indoor weed farm early Thursday morning when the sprinkler broke, flooding his Thai Town apartment. Thanks to the sprinkler alarm, LAFD crews responded to the building at 5432 Harold Way around 12:20am, discovering his operation.
Man Floods Thai Town Apartment While Watering His Pot Plants
Woman's Body Found Inside Rain-Flooded Vehicle
The body of Angela Wright, 39, was found inside her rainwater-flooded vehicle in a wash near Canyon Lake, according to KTLA. The Menifee resident "drove through a flooded intersection and was carried away by floodwaters shortly after 3 a.m. Wednesday."
"Rescue divers were called out and found the vehicle submerged in the lake with the body inside," said Melissa Nieburg of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, according to LA Now.
Orange County Bears Brunt of Last Night's Rainstorm
Most of last night's heavy rains were centered in Orange County, leaving residents in some areas without power and some evacuated, parts of Laguna Beach's sandy shores washed away, and many roads closed.
Photos: Long Beach Flooded
As the third storm begins to hit the Southland, Long Beach and other areas are still recovering from three days of rain. Yesterday, harbor cities and neighborhoods got hit hard, with Long Beach receiving plenty of rain and flooding, whether it be on city streets or the 710 Freeway. If you're a resident, remember there are free sandbags and sand available via the city. Then, once the storms pass, it will be time to clean up and possibly look at the success of a new (and still uncompleted) drain project in West Long Beach that kept a traditionally flooded neighborhood relatively dry.
Photo: 710 Freeway Flooded in Long Beach
Heavy rains mixed with an electrical problem at Caltrans pump houses caused flooding in at least one area of the 710 freeway at Willow Street today. Crews are currently working to restore electricity to relieve the flooding, but Caltrans officials cannot sat when all lanes will be opened.
Neighborhoods at Risk of Mudslides to Meet Tonight
A slew of city and county agencies are coming together tonight to meet with residents of neighborhoods near the four major wildfires of the past two years (Sayre, Sessnon, Marek, and Station fires). Tonight is the first in a series of town halls about having a readiness and evacuation. When it rained briefly last week, there were mudslides. So it's safe to say, they are likely not to be the last. Maps will be given out where flood or debris flows might go. Tonight's 6 p.m. meeting is at Northeast Valley City Hall (17747 Foothill Boulevard, Tujunga 91402).
Another Day, Another DWP Pipe Blowout: Miracle Mile Edition
No definitive cause to the growing number of blowouts yet, but south of the Miracle Mile this morning was the next area added to a list that has topped 30 for this month alone. Around 6 a.m. a water main burst, flooding the streets and cutting off service to 40 to 50 LADWP customers. This comes after bursts in Encino and Hollywood Hills over the weekend.
Got a Water Main Break Tallysheet? Add Encino This Morning
Another day, another "major blowout" of a water main line in Los Angeles' DWP system. This one took place at around 2:45 this morning in the 5600 block of Wish Avenue in Encino," reports LA Now. "The cause of the break was not immediately clear." About 70 customers are currently without water service in the break area.
Yet, Again, Le Sigh: Broken Pipe Floods Topanga Blvd.
There may be an average of 1,200 water main leaks a year with 200 of those considered major, but the last few weeks have proved that things seem to be worsening. And fast. A 12-inch pipe burst on Topanga Boulevard near Victory Boulevard in Canoga Park today, shutting down traffic on one of the West Valley's main north-south arteries, according to the LA Times. Of course, all these recent bursts causing traffic, damage and loss of service to customers has Los Angeles Department of Water & Power officials confused because as of right now, there is no apparent reason why this is happening so frequently and spread out. A slew of major incidents began when a trunkline in Studio City burst, causing a major flood followed by a rupture that caused a sinkhole that sucked in half a fire truck. Two breaks also occurred in the West Valley yesterday. Some officials say they have to raise our water bills to pay for replacing piping throughout the city.
Coldwater Canyon to Remain Closed, but for how Long?
Despite progress on a broken water main that flooded a part of Studio City, officials do not know when the busy canyon route will re-open. "At this time, it is not possible to estimate when street repair work will be complete and Coldwater Canyon Avenue will be reopened," a statement read from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Coldwater Canyon Remains Closed after Water Main Floods Area
The rupture of a nearly 100-year-old, 62-inch city water trunkline Saturday night left the area around Coldwater Canyon and Ventura Boulevard paralyzed, flooding the streets, damaging some cars, homes and businesses with water, sometimes up to three to four feet. This morning, a handful of restoration vans sat outside businesses and street closures remain in effect.
Water Main Break Floods Ventura Blvd and Coldwater Canyon
Late last night a 64-inch water main burst in Studio City at Ventura Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon, according to the LA Times. The water flooded into area businesses and homes, and was 3-4' high in places, according to an LAFD email alert.
Hurricane Ike Forces Cancellations at LAX
"Over a dozen direct flights and more than 65 connecting flights leaving Los Angeles International Airport were canceled Sunday due to flood damage caused by Hurricane Ike," says KNBC who also said San Diego experienced cancellations too.
There Could be Rain, There Could be Flooding
Expected rain today could bring flooding to mountain areas that are recovering from recent wildfires. "The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch from noon to this evening for Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles county mountain areas, excluding the Santa Monica range, and for the Antelope Valley," reports the LA Times.
Sunday Morning Winter Storm Lowdown
Your Neighborhood, Your Rain
Through 10 a.m. this morning, here are the rain and snow totals in inches from the National Weather Service.
Winter Storm Watch: Little White Specs That Fall From the Sky and Rain, Rain, Rain
We get to call it a "Winter Storm" because it's storming and it's January, and not to overstate the obvious, but it is Winter Storming like nobody's business out there.
Breaking: Tornado Warning in SoCal and More Weather Woes
Although it's a brief warning, the overall weather picture remains grim here in the greater Los Angeles area. We're under warnings and advisories galore; the flood advisory is still up for Ventura and LA Counties, snow is expected in the "lower elevations of Santa Barbara County as well as the Foothills of the Antelope Valley," the wind advisory is in effect until tomorrow night, and multiple roads in and out of town are closed.
A Hard Rain's A-Comin'--Drive Safe, LA!
Overnight rainstorms brought at least a dozen motor accidents on slick roads and freeways, and the light rain that is gracing the Los Angeles area right now is "expected to intensify later in the day, prompting forecasters to issue a flash flood watch for fire-denuded areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties" according to KNBC.com. These areas are particularly vulnerable to disastrous mud slides as well. The watch goes into effect at noon today and will last through the night.
Rain, Snow & Chilly Temps for an LA December
Don't forget that umbrella on the way out the door today -- it's gonna rain (yes, that is an intentional Steve Reich reference). Right now, surfers should be enjoying the best swells of the week and skiers can look forward to a nice snowpack of "about 6 inches of snow at elevations of about 6,000 feet," according to the LA Times. As always, with the good, comes the bad. Among the more strenuous commute and...
Extra, Extra: Rains Drain Hillside's Refrain
While the rains yesterday helped alleviate some of the dryness under which southern California has been hampered, it did little to lessen the worries of those in fire-stricken areas. Streaming rivers of rain created mudslides and prompted officials to call for mass evacuations. Flash flood warnings remain in effect. But, hey, it's LA, and today was clear and beautiful. A woman who poisoned her Marine husband to buy a boob job with the insurance...
For Your Past
Not about to throw his back out. With the holiday season coming up, many of us become nostalgic with the sights, smells, and sounds of relatives and good times past and present. Some of us turn to photographs to settle these hungry feelings, others slides, others old film reels. The main problem in this endeavor, though, comes when you try to actually find the photos you're thinking of. I know, in my house, we have...
Entire Mexican State Underwater, U.S. Slow to Notice
An area of Mexico larger than metro LA is almost completely underwater after two days of severe flooding. Granted, we're busy fighting a Global War on Terror and it's inconvenient to help our neighbors, not to mention our own domestic needs, but... it's probably worth knowing that 80 percent of Tabasco is underwater. More rain is on its way. Our fires were on front pages around the world. So how come when Mexico experiences...
Tonight in Rock in LA - Clipse, Subhumans, Abe Vigoda
Kennedy - "Your Mama"
DVD Tuesday: It's a TV Blowout!
With the fall TV season just around the corner, a flood of your favorite series hit the stores today. What better way to whet your appetite for what promises to be a long, great Season 4 of ). Lohan finally hits bottom.
Tornado for Today?
With not much information to go off of right now, CBS News 2 is reporting poltergeists severe weather down south:Rotating storm clouds have been spotted in a thunderstorm near Lake Elsinore, which could lead to a tornado. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for San Diego County. A Flash Flood Advisory was issued for San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. 5:40PM UPDATE: Complete Weather Coverage of all counties with tornado and flash flood warnings at CBS2....
TV Junkie: Katrina Edition
8:00pm Going Back to New Orleans UPN/KCOP - Music icon Deacon John Moore documents the unique culture of the Big Easy. 9:00pm Against the Tide: The Battle for New Orleans CNBC - The business side of the New Orleans recovery effort. 10:00pm Still Waiting: Life After Katrina PBS/KOCE An African American/Creole family returns to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, hoping to hold on to their bayou culture. 10:00pm DIY to the Rescue: Katrina Rebuild...

