Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This Next Huge Rainstorm Could Bring Debris Flows
Dan McLathan places sandbags outside his house in the La Canada Flintridge area on Dec. 7, 2009. (Mark RalstonR/AFP/Getty Images)
()
Southern California’s about to get walloped by an atmospheric river that’s expected to drop between one to six inches of precipitation across different parts of the region between Thursday and Friday.
It could be enough to make a dent in the heavy rain deficit we find ourselves in, put a good amount of snow on our mountains, but potentially cause debris flows, especially in areas that recently burned.
The U.S. Geological Survey has a map detailing the risk associated with the different burn areas and it highlights what you’d expect.
The hills that the Apple, El Dorado, Silverado, Lake and Ranch 2 fires mercilessly tore through last year are all at an elevated risk for debris flows.
Support for LAist comes from
Soil is free to be eroded by rain, as the vegetation that long held it in place is gone. And the waxy, water repelling layer that often forms on the surface during a fire is ready to carry boulders and any remaining trees, downhill.
That said, it’s the Bobcat fire burn area that’s of most concern, according to Jason Kean, a research hydrologist with the USGS landslide hazards program.
“This is an area that has a long history of debris flows after a wildfire,” he said. “It’s probably got the highest threat in the world for this type of hazard.”
He attributes that to a combination of steep topography, a high frequency of fires, and a large population of people living on and along the bottom of the mountains.
“A garden variety storm can cause problems,” Kean said.
Look out for rainfall that exceeds a general debris flow-triggering threshold of half an inch per hour.
Support for LAist comes from
“We’re always prepared for things to go crazy, but there isn’t that anticipation that this storm system will bring ... significant problems,” said Stephen Frasher, public information officer with Public Works.
“Driveways and small roads near the burn areas could experience more mud than otherwise might be the case.”
Over the next day the department will update its debris and mudflow potential forecast, which is another tool that can help residents understand how much risk they’re in.
The National Weather Service in both Oxnard and San Diego could issue flash flood warnings. And in L.A. County, if it’s bad enough, you could get one of those deafening wireless emergency alerts telling you it’s time to evacuate.
Another reminder why in disaster-prone Southern California, it’s always good to have a go bag ready just in case.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist