Recent wildfires in Los Angeles County create a heightened risk of flooding and landslides as Southern California prepares for its first significant winter rainfall. Forecasters warn of a 10% to 20% chance of flash flooding and debris flows, particularly in areas burned by the Palisades, Franklin, Eaton, Hughes, and Bridge fires.
Areas recently scorched by wildfires in Los Angeles County are facing a heightened risk of flooding and landslides as Southern California braces for its first substantial rainfall of the winter this weekend. The National Weather Service office in Oxnard emphasized the severity of the threat, urging residents to prepare for the worst-case scenario on social media.
Forecasters predict a 10% to 20% chance of significant flash flooding and debris flows, capable of inflicting damage to roads and homes in the most vulnerable burn areas.These susceptible regions include the burn scars of the Palisades and Franklin fires surrounding Pacific Palisades and Malibu, the Eaton fire near Altadena and Pasadena, the Hughes fire around Lake Castaic, and the Bridge fire in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora. The Bridge fire, which ravaged over 56,000 acres across Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in the autumn, destroyed 81 structures and injured eight firefighters.Based on a U.S. Geological Survey analysis, these fire-scarred areas exhibit the highest potential for substantial debris flows, according to Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the weather service. He explained that these burn scars are relatively fresh, situated close to populated areas and vulnerable infrastructure, and the terrain's orientation further amplifies the risk of intense rainfall and higher debris flow volumes. The probability of flooding and debris flows in these recently burned areas, issued Friday afternoon, has escalated from the 5% to 10% chance predicted the previous day.While damaging debris flows are not the most likely outcome, the weather service acknowledged the considerable uncertainty surrounding this storm. The threat of flooding and debris flows stems from the fact that fire-heated soil struggles to absorb water. Instead, the water repels and flows across the surface downhill, gathering rocks and debris. This can result in 'mudflows,' where water rushes downhill with primarily mud, generally less than 15 feet deep, as well as more destructive and potentially fatal 'debris flows,' where rushing water carries rocks, branches, and sometimes massive boulders. Mudflows and debris flows are distinct types of landslides. 'The most likely outcome is that there might be some shallow debris flows that are kind of minor impacts,' Kittell added.
Wildfires Flooding Landslides Debris Flows Southern California Los Angeles County Weather Forecast Winter Storm
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