What is expected to be Southern California’s most powerful winter storm of the season prompted Los Angeles to tell thousands to evacuate Thursday, as fears mount over potentially life-threatening flash flooding and debris flow from burn scars caused by recent wildfires.
The warnings, which last through Friday afternoon, cover areas affected by last month’s deadly huge Palisades Fire, as well as the communities hit by the Eaton, Hurst, Franklin, Bridge and Sunset fires.
While the warnings aren’t enforceable orders, the Los Angeles Fire Department said that houses in these areas with “high risk” will be visited by firefighters and given specific evacuation orders. Widespread enforcement orders could follow depending on how the storm develops.
Outside Los Angeles, a mandatory evacuation went into effect at 12 p.m. PT Thursday for areas of Trabuco Creek, Bell Canyon and Hot Springs Canyon because of possible debris flow from the Airport fire burn scar, Orange County said in a release. Voluntary evacuation warnings remain in place for Long and Modjeska Canyons.
Ventura County announced an evacuation warning for those living near the burn scar areas of the Mountain Fire. It will last until Friday morning
The National Weather Service said flash flooding should be expected across the region in urban areas, and the risk “will be highest in and near recent burn scar areas in Southern California.”
“Those around recently burned areas should listen carefully to instructions from local officials. Flash flooding in burn scars will be life-threatening,” the weather service added.
Flood Advisories have been issued for Ventura, Santa Barbara Los Angeles counties through Thursday evening, including potential roadway flooding, rockslides, mudslides and debris flows.
As of Thursday afternoon, 32 million people in California remained under flood watches as heavy rain soaked the state. More than an inch of rain has already fallen in parts of Southern California and nearly 2 inches of rain has been measured in the Bay Area up north.
