A powerful incoming storm, set to hit Southern California on Thursday, prompted authorities to issue evacuation warnings in parts of Los Angeles County amid concerns that it could cause dangerous flooding and debris flows in areas devastated by wildfires last month.
U.S Army Corps of Engineers clear debris from a house at 119 W Palm Street in Altadena, which was ... [+]
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the evacuation orders and warnings are being issued due to “high mudslide and debris flow risk” and they will remain in effect from 7 a.m. local time on Thursday to 2 p.m. on Friday.
The evacuation warnings cover areas that were recently burned by the Palisades, Hurst and Sunset wildfires and are “especially susceptible to heavy rain,” the fire department’s notice said.
Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department will visit houses in the warning area that are under high risk “to issue specific evacuation orders.”
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced that all its campuses will remain closed on Thursday and “possibly Friday…due to road closures and weather concerns.”
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
The LAFD’s evacuation warning doesn’t mention areas hit by the Eaton Fire. However, earlier this week California’s Office of Emergency Services said it has installed “emergency protection materials” including “straw wattles, compost silt socks, and silt fences” to restrict the flow of hazardous materials from the Eaton and Palisades Fires into the creeks, rivers and other water bodies around Los Angeles. The agency said it was also coordinating the installation of “K-rails to divert debris flow.”
In its latest forecast on Wednesday night, the National Weather Services’ Los Angeles office wrote that following light showers on Wednesday night “periods of moderate to heavy rain are expected Thursday into Thursday night.” This will be followed by “scattered showers into Friday morning.” The impacted areas are expected to receive between 1.5 and 3 inches of rain, although some places like the Eaton Fire scar could see heavier downpour of more than 5 inches.