A storm forecast to slam California for the next three days has triggered flash flood watches and concerns of mudslides for what could be the state’s strongest storm this winter, as it recovers from historic wildfires and drought conditions.
The storm is expected to begin Wednesday and last until Friday. (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty ... [+]
The National Weather Service is expecting significant rain across all of Southern California, widespread roadway flooding and a high risk of mudslides in and near burn scars created by the recent wave of historically destructive fires.
Mudslides are capable of picking up branches, rocks, large boulders and even cars depending on their severity.
NWS forecasts the inclement weather to last from Wednesday to Friday and is predicting the worst of the rainfall and mudslide risks to materialize Thursday.
About 1.5 to three inches of rain is expected across much of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, while mountainous areas could see three to six inches of precipitation, according to the NWS.
Much of central California is facing a slight risk of excessive rainfall while cities farther north like San Jose are forecast to receive 1.5 to two inches of rain.
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This week’s storm will tack on more precipitation to the light and moderate rain Southern California received following January’s wildfires. The blazes, which spread quickly through high winds and drought conditions, killed at least 29 people, burned over 40,000 acres and destroyed well over 15,000 structures. The Eaton and Palisades fires are ranked as the No. 2 and No. 3 most destructive in California’s history, respectively, according to preliminary data from Cal Fire.
Much of the state could use at least some rain. A little more than half of California was under drought conditions as of last week, with Southern California in particular experiencing extreme drought, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.
California Wildfire Updates: Palisades, Eaton Fires Reach Full Containment (Forbes)
Flood Watch Issued For Fire-Stricken Los Angeles Areas—Here’s Why Rain Might Be An Issue (Forbes)