Concerns regarding possible mudslides are being heightened by the rain in recent burn scar sites, such as Altadena and Malibu.
Areas affected by the Palisades, Franklin, Eaton, Bridge, and Hughes fires are still under a flood watch, according to the National Weather Service. According to the NWS, rainfall rates will remain below a quarter of an inch per hour until early afternoon, following which they will start to fluctuate between a quarter and a third of an inch per hour on Sunday afternoon.
As the showers intensify around 4 p.m., forecasters warn isolated rainfall rates of 0.5 to 0.75 inches per hour are likely. It is predicted to rain the most on Sunday and Monday. Waterspouts may occur over coastal seas, and thunderstorms may bring quick, intense downpours, strong gusts, and the possibility of tiny hail.
There are worries that increasing rainfall in Malibu, where it has been light and consistent overnight, could endanger burn areas, particularly those impacted by the Franklin fire last month and the Palisades fire that occurred recently. The issue is being closely watched by authorities.
Rain may also have an impact on landslide-prone places like Malibu Canyon Road. The road will be closed by Los Angeles County Public Works as a precaution from Sunday at 5 p.m. to Monday at 5 p.m., or until it is judged safe to drive. During storms, drivers are advised to stay away from mountain roads and burn zones. The weather is predicted to get worse later today, so locals should stay vigilant and heed evacuation orders if needed.
A winter storm warning is in force, and temperatures in the mountain communities are hovering around 30 degrees. There will be 3 to 8 inches of snow forecast throughout the mountains and 6 to 14 inches in the San Gabriels, with snow levels ranging from 3500 to 4500 feet. From Sunday night until early Monday afternoon, the Antelope Valley is under a winter weather advisory. The foothills, especially east of Highway 14, are predicted to receive 2 to 4 inches of snow.
There are ongoing worries about Altadena’s stability, especially in areas impacted by the Eaton Fire. There are worries that contaminants may be brought into the area by the rain, and it may also loosen debris, resulting in hazardous runoff. Water management and damage reduction efforts are under progress.
To lower the risk of flooding, about 15,000 K-rails have been installed, and drainage systems and catch basins are being removed. When handling potentially polluted materials in burn scar sites, workers wear gloves.
A lesser storm could develop near the end of the week, according to the NWS, which predicts dry but cold weather in the middle of the week.