Flood-prone burned areas in LA County prepare for expected rain

A storm system is expected to bring widespread rain and strong winds to Southern California beginning Tuesday, heightening concerns about landslides and debris flows in areas charred by the recent LA wildfires.

The National Weather Service has forecast “widespread periods of rain in the Tuesday through Friday,” with early estimates suggesting moderate rainfall in most areas — about 1 inch along the coast and in valley regions and 2 to 3 inches in the region’s foothills and mountains.

“There is a low but present risk for heavy (rainfall) amounts, rates, and more significant flooding and debris flow activity in the recent burn scars,” the NWS reported.

The rain will peak Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning, forecasters said. The chance of rain and its intensity will lessen by Wednesday afternoon and evening leading to a “brief break in the rain late Wednesday into Thursday morning before the next storm arrives Thursday afternoon into Friday.”

Dry weather returns by Saturday, according to the NWS.

Crews from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works are clearing drainage facilities and debris basins, installing additional protective barriers near homes and providing sandbags at sites vulnerable to flooding, officials said Sunday.

Public Works’ clearance operations have removed more than 400 cubic yards of mud and debris in Malibu’s Sunset Mesa neighborhood alone, officials said.

With support from the California Office of Emergency Services, county crews have deployed 679 feet of k-rail barriers and over 1,500 sandbags in strategically chosen locations within the Palisades and Eaton burn areas to slow the rate of runoff and prevent hazardous debris flows, according to the county.

Personnel from the LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors, Department of Public Health and state and federal agencies are working to prevent post-fire debris from polluting local beaches and coastal waters, officials said.

Free sandbags and flood risk assessments are available to residents at many locations countywide, including designated fire stations and also the La Costa Post Office at 21229 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

County officials urged residents to clear drainage paths, install sandbags to guide runoff away from structures, avoid traveling in fire-affected areas and on mountain roads during heavy rain and sign up to receive emergency alerts at ready.lacounty.gov.

“Now is the time to make sure you have a plan,” LA County District 3 Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said Sunday.

Snow levels will not be significant with this storm, with snowfall forecast at or above 8,000 feet, according to the NWS.

Temperatures were expected to drop to the lower to mid-60s on Tuesday afternoon and near 60 during the daytime on Wednesday.

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