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Over the next few days, we could be seeing total of 5 inches of rain making for a more cozy Thanksgiving feeling, but a stressful one for people in recent burn areas. "Although a storm of this magnitude this time of year would not by itself pose a risk for life threatening flooding, areas that have been denuded from recent burns are at an increased risk for flash floods and debris flows," the National Weather Service is warning.
Voluntary evacuations have been called for areas around Santa Barbara and Yorba Linda due to the potential mudslides. In all areas effected by the fires, including the northern ends of Los Angeles in the Valley, residents prepare by filling sandbags.
"These burn areas, it's not like sand, it's very loose ash, and as the rain comes down, and especially if it's a lot of rain all at once, the first six inches of soil will sop up the rain and it will just come crashing off of there, like an avalanche," Stuart Seto, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service, told the LA Times. "What makes it so bad is that it's not just water anymore, it's mud, debris. It carries a lot of stuff and weight, and that's what can wipe out houses, cars and push things around."
There's also a chance of thunderstorms tonight through Wednesday evening.
Photo by Djenan via Flickr
