Weather
Storm Poses Mudslide Risk For The San Gabriel Valley
Heavy rain expected across the region may cause mud, rock and debris flow in burn scar areas, Los Angeles County Public Work warned.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY, CA — Los Angeles County Public Works issued a winter storm warning Wednesday to people in burn areas about the potential for heavy rain triggering mudslides along burn scars created by wildfires such as the Bobcat and Lake Fire burn scars.
In addition, the California Office of Emergency Services said it has already positioned people and equipment near burn scars in L.A. and Orange counties. The warning comes less than two weeks after a storm caused potentially millions of dollars in damage to Monrovia Canyon Park due to burn scar debris flows. The community is once again bracing for possible mudslides Wednesday.
SEE ALSO: Rain Storm Damage To Monrovia Canyon Park Estimated At $10M
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"Peak rainfall rates are expected to be up to 0.75 inch per hour," the Public Works advisory said. "County agencies are working in unified command to advise residents on how to prepare for this storm event and potentially evacuate 56 households at greatest risk in the Bobcat Fire (San Gabriel Valley) and Lake Fire (north County) burn areas."
The Bobcat Fire from September to October 2020 burned 115,796 acres in the Angeles National Forest, the city of Monrovia, Juniper Hills, Littlerock, Pearblossom, Llano and Valyermo. The fire damaged or destroyed 194 structures
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Officials are also concerned about the area of Lake Fire of August 2020, which burned 31,089 acres in the Lake Hughes area and damaged or destroyed 45 structures.
The Palisades Fire began in Topanga State Park and burned more than 1,200 acres in May of 2021.
People in the affected areas were urged to prepare in advance by placing sandbags around properties and keeping trash cans off streets.
Motorists were warned to avoid driving on mountain roads or into ponded or swift-moving water in recent burn areas.
The Office of Emergency Services said it has already positioned fire engines, bulldozers, aircraft and swift water rescue teams near the Bobcat and Emigrant burn scars in Los Angeles County and near the Bond and Silverado burn scars in Orange County.
City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.
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