The Next Storm Is Going To Be Giant And Potentially Deadly. Agencies Are Scrambling To Prepare

After the first of two atmospheric rivers brought flooding, road closures and mudslides to Southern California on Thursday, Los Angeles officials are preparing for the next, larger storm set to arrive on Saturday night.

Kerjon Lee, spokesperson for Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, said the department responded across the county to calls about infrastructure, like roadways being flooded and localized flooding.

In the Palos Verdes Peninsula, mud and a mini rockslide shut down Palos Verdes Drive South till crews cleared up the roadway. Rainwater also flooded the 710 Freeway in Long Beach leading to flash flood warnings.

Lee says the department will have hundreds of staff on standby this weekend to monitor areas that might be vulnerable to mud and debris flow.

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The upcoming storm could have “life threatening impacts” and could bring rain totals of 3 to 6 inches according to the National Weather Service. But, Lee said it's not the amount of rain that puts vulnerable areas at risk for mud or landslides or flooding but rather, “where storm cells may park themselves and provide an intensity that either overwhelms the local stormwater infrastructure or causes mud debris flow and certainly in areas where there are hillsides rockfall is possible.”

Preparation for upcoming storm

Emily Montanez, associate director of Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, said there was no critical damage from Thursday’s storm, calling it a “kind of a test run if you will, for this upcoming storm.”

With the upcoming storm set to have the most impact on Sunday evening through Monday, Montanez said Monday morning’s commute is a concern.

She added that teams will work around the clock through the weekend, ready to clear roadways to help make the roadways safer. She also said patrol teams will be also be available to assist with any necessary evacuations.

With mountain and foothill areas expected to see up to 6 inches of rain, Montanez encourages people living in those areas to work from home if they are able to.

A flood watch will be in effect from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday for Los Angeles County with the NWS warning the “Los Angeles river will fill quickly and become a raging river and a very dangerous place to be.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers LA District, which oversees the Los Angeles River, will activate its Reservoir Operations Center. The center will monitor water levels in dams and reservoirs to notify local agencies. Jon Sweeten, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers LA District, said that for example, if water levels go up in the Sepulveda Dam, police are notified so they then can monitor the area.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for alerts on ready.lacounty.gov.