More Severe Weather in SoCal
It’s been a tumultuous time for Southern California with all of the unusually severe weather we’ve experienced during the past month. This past Sunday brought even more surprises with California Governor Newsom declaring a state of emergency for eight counties including Los Angeles County. The atmospheric river known as a Pineapple Express is responsible for these severe thunderstorms. Read more about these Pineapple Express atmospheric rivers here.
Counties under the state of emergency are Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Additionally, an evacuation order has been issued for Santa Maria Rd from Topanga Canyon due to flooding and high risk of mud or debris in the area. This evacuation order is in effect through 6:00 PM on Tuesday, Feb. 6th.
Warnings and Advisories
Additionally, life-threatening landslides and flash floods are expected in the Hollywood Hills and Santa Monica mountains. This is an extremely dangerous situation, so avoid travel if at all possible. The latest update is a Flood Advisory that has been issued for all of Los Angeles County until 3 pm today, Feb. 5th due to risk of flooding, rockslides, and mudslides from heavy rainfall. Stay up to date on all evacuation orders and warnings here on the L.A. County Emergency website.
Most of the severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall were expected for Sunday and Monday. However, heavy rain is now expected to continue at least through Tuesday evening as well. Most L.A. County residents are urged to stay home if at all possible to avoid driving in these dangerous storms and possible flash floods. Especially since local officials are saying that downed trees and power lines and power outages are strong possibilities.
According to the National Weather Service, these severe storms could drop 4 to 8 inches of rain in coastal and valley areas and 8 to 14 inches in the mountains and foothills. Much of that downpour will occur on Monday, Feb. 5th. Flash flood warnings and flood advisories remain in effect for parts of Los Angeles County. Please continue to check the National Weather Service here for the latest updates.
Rain and Flood Safety Tips from Ready L.A. County:
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- Avoid moving water. Do not drive or walk through moving water.
- Avoid risky areas. Stay away from streams, rivers, flood control channels, and other areas subject to sudden flooding.
- Stay informed. Listen to the radio or watch television for information and instructions from your local officials.
- Obey evacuation instructions. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Get the full list of flood safety tips here!
Keep your eye on the National Weather Service website here for the latest updated forecasts and advisories. To help direct water flow, free ready-to-fill sandbags are available year-round at all LAFD Fire Stations. As always, be safe during rainy weather, and try to stay indoors if at all possible.
A New Emergency Events Website
The Los Angeles Emergency Management Department has just launched a special emergency events page in order to help the community prepare for ongoing winter storms. Please continue checking their website here for the latest possible flooding evacuation and emergency shelter details and all other emergency updates.