Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

The Flooding In East L.A. Yesterday Was Caused By A Mattress, Officials Say

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Yesterday's rain caused flooding in East L.A. and Boyle Heights, but officials say it wasn't just the rain—it was a mattress that caused the whole ordeal.

Officials say an abandoned mattress was blocking the inlet to a catch basin, which was a factor in yesterday's flooding during the early evening rainstorm, KTLA reports.

Residents were concerned that the City had actually failed to clean the debris from the storm drains, but officials assured us all that we're El Nino ready—except for that mattress, apparently.

"Unfortunately, we have a lot of debris that floats down with the water. We're asking homeowners to check their property and look for items that could float down in heavy downpours and secure those items," Brian McCormick with the Department of Public Works said.

KTLA reporter Kareen Wynter said that McCormick was going to provide photos of the mattress blockage to the media, but then later said he was unable to show them. "Many people are very skeptical here…they question how that one item could have caused such widespread, extensive flooding," she said.

Sponsored message
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today