Heavy rainfall expected this week has triggered warnings about the potential for catastrophic debris flows in fire-scarred areas surrounding the San Gabriel Mountains. Los Angeles County officials are working diligently to prepare the flood control system and protect communities at risk.
Heavy machinery hauls dirt and sediment during the clearing of the debris basin at Sierra Madre Dam on Jan. 29, 2025. Sterling Klippel, a principal engineer for the Los Angeles County Public Works Department, stands overlooking the operation. His job is to ensure the county’s network of dams, debris basins, channels, and storm drains are ready to handle the potential for catastrophic debris flows in fire-scarred areas.
The recent Eaton Fire has left the San Gabriel Mountains vulnerable to debris flows, especially with heavy rainfall expected. Klippel and his stormwater crews are working tirelessly to prepare the flood control system. The work can be humbling, as the power of nature can be overwhelming. The National Weather Service predicts a high risk of debris flows in the Eaton Fire burn area, with the potential for massive flows into Altadena. This week's storm will test the limits of Los Angeles County's flood control infrastructure. The area is no stranger to debris flows, with a history of tragic events in the past. In 1994, a flash flood in a park in Sierra Madre claimed the lives of a man and his 9-year-old son. The San Gabriel Mountains are riddled with past debris flow remnants, and sprawling cities in the Los Angeles basin have been built on top of them. The threat of debris flows lingers years after a fire, as the scorched slopes are more susceptible to erosion. Even a small amount of rain can trigger a disaster in the fire-scarred areas. The federal report states that 1.57 inches of rain per hour or less than half an inch in the critical 15-minute span could initiate debris flows in the burned canyons. Klippel and his team are closely monitoring the weather forecasts and working around the clock to ensure the safety of the communities at risk. The Sierra Madre Debris Basin, built in 1928, is one of the key flood control structures in the area. The basin is designed to capture mud and debris, allowing only water to pass through. Dozens of other similar structures are strategically placed throughout the region to mitigate the dangers of debris flows
DEBRIS FLOWS FLOOD CONTROL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS EATON FIRE LA COUNTY WEATHER WARNINGS
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