Residents in recent burn sites are bracing for the possibility of debris flows due to the much cooler weather and the predicted rain over the weekend.
The strongest rain is expected to fall late Sunday into Monday, according to the National Weather Service, which also predicts rain and mountain snow showers from Saturday afternoon through Monday. Mostly on Sunday and Monday, thunderstorms might deliver tiny hail and strong, short downpours.
What time will it rain? Precip begins as early as Saturday morning and continues till Saturday evening. The Tejon Pass/I-5 Corridor will receive 1-2 inches of snow, with snow levels dropping to 3,500–4,500 feet. There is a 10–20% chance of tstms during this chilly storm, so don’t be shocked if you see hail.#socalpic.twitter.com/qeLtBxMlhn #carain
In addition to a winter weather advisory for the Golden State (5) Freeway corridor in the northern portion of the county, a winter storm warning has been issued for the eastern San Gabriel Mountains from 4 p.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Monday.
In the beginning, some projections predicted between a quarter and a half inch of rain, while others suggested a little more.
Amelia Crawford, a resident of Altadena, expressed her worries: “It is a danger because it is more than 20 feet tall,” she remarked, referring to a mountain perched over her house.
A lot of things shouldn’t slide, I hope. I’m hoping and praying that it doesn’t slide,” Crawford continued.
Sandbags were being supplied around Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre, while some locals had contracted with businesses to transport them.
The Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriel Valley, and the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway corridor are all under a flood watch that will last from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon.
The local government is not taking any chances. Crews are preparing for the impending rain by deploying sandbags, K-rails, and other tools to handle sediment and debris, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Debris basins are also being prepared and cleaned.
Santa Monica Airport was the operations headquarters on the west side close to the Palisades Fire, and personnel were using Santa Anita racetrack as a staging facility for supplies in the Eaton Fire region.
Residents are being warned to remain indoors during the storm if they have returned to burn zones. Sediment and debris are expected to spill into the streets, but officials do not expect the rain to cause destructive flows that would necessitate evacuations.
As firefighters continue to make progress on the Eaton Fire, which was 95% contained as of Friday, the Palisades Fire, which was 81% contained, and the Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake, which was 56% contained as of Friday, the rain is predicted to arrive.
The NWS predicts dry but cool weather through the middle of the week, with a weaker storm perhaps developing at the end of the week.