LOS ANGELES (RTWNews) — In anticipation of a formidable October storm, authorities have ordered evacuations in wildfire-affected neighborhoods of Los Angeles. The storm, characterized by heavy rainfall, high winds, and the potential for mudslides, poses significant risks to communities still reeling from earlier fires.
During a news conference on Monday night, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her deep concerns about the storm’s impact, stating that all available emergency resources, including strike and rescue teams, were on standby.
The evacuations affect around 115 homes in the Pacific Palisades and Mandeville Canyon areas, which were devastated by a major wildfire in January that resulted in over 30 fatalities and the destruction of more than 17,000 structures in Los Angeles County. The lack of vegetation from those fires increases the risk of soil instability during heavy rains.
Mayor Bass urged residents to be vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel, particularly as the storm is expected to peak early Tuesday with over 16,000 residents already facing power outages, according to PowerOutage.us.
The National Weather Service has warned that some regions may receive as much as 4 inches (10.2 cm) of rain from this unusual and potent storm system.
A meteorologist for the National Weather Service indicated that the unpredictability of the storm presents challenges, stating, “we cannot be certain about exactly when and where these impacts will strike.”
Los Angeles Fire Department teams were actively patrolling areas prone to flooding, while parts of state Route 27 were closed in preparation for the incoming weather.
Concerns were particularly high for potential post-fire debris flows. Past incidents, including a significant disaster in Montecito in 2018, highlight the deadly consequences of such weather events following fires, making extensive preparation and alertness crucial.
The storm has also brought heavy rain to parts of Northern California, prompting flooding strategies around the San Francisco Bay Area. Local businesses in fire-prone areas, such as the Gladstones Restaurant along the Pacific Coast Highway, are taking precautionary measures, including closing to ensure safety.
As recovery efforts from Typhoon Halong in Alaska continue, it emphasizes the ongoing need for community support in the face of such devastating weather across the country.
