Los Angeles Braces for Mudslide Threat Ahead of Incoming Storm

January 22, 2025 TruthUSA

As rain approaches, the governor has dispatched crews and equipment to areas affected by wildfires to mitigate the risk of landslides.

Governor Gavin Newsom mobilized state resources on January 22 to safeguard Southern Californian regions recently impacted by wildfires and to brace for potential mudslides due to an impending storm.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Los Angeles issued a warning to the public regarding hazardous fire weather expected to last until Thursday afternoon, while monitoring a rainstorm set to enter the area starting Saturday.

Wind gusts reached up to 88 miles per hour on Tuesday and nearly 60 mph in certain mountainous regions of Los Angeles County on Wednesday, exacerbating a rapidly-spreading wildfire near Castaic Lake Dam, located about 40 miles north of Los Angeles, according to the NWS.

AccuWeather predicts rain from Saturday afternoon through to Sunday evening in the Los Angeles area, which could lead to landslides in regions affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Burn scar areas, stripped of vegetation, are particularly susceptible to heavy rain, which can trigger sudden and swift debris flows capable of destroying homes and obstructing roads.

Kyle Wheeler, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s San Diego office, indicated that residents in low-lying areas of the county might experience up to half an inch of rain from Saturday through Monday.

“We are expecting a substantial amount of rain, but it will be spread out over several days,” Wheeler told The Epoch Times. “The extended duration is beneficial since we won’t be experiencing a heavy downpour all at once.”

Though the storm is unlikely to be as catastrophic as previous ones the state has encountered in recent years, it may lead to localized flooding, slippery roads, and some water pooling in the San Diego County area, he remarked.

Crews and resources have been set in place to protect local communities and natural resources, according to Newsom’s office.

“Before we anticipated rain in Los Angeles, I instructed my departments and agencies to quickly prepare to safeguard neighborhoods from potentially hazardous debris flows,” Newsom stated in a news release. “By positioning resources and personnel in critical areas, we can effectively aid as we move from fire response to storm readiness.”

The state is also collaborating closely with partners to avert toxic runoff from contaminating waterways by installing filtration barriers.

Utility workers restore a gas line near burnt homes in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Jan. 17. (Fred Greaves /Reuters) — Utility workers restore a gas line near burnt homes in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Jan. 17. Fred Greaves /Reuters

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s south bureau cautioned residents on January 21 about the potential dangers ahead.

“Red flag conditions along with a high fire risk continue, followed by substantial rain this weekend,” the department posted on social media Tuesday.

The department advised the public to refrain from activities that might ignite a fire during windy conditions and to stay vigilant for risks of flooding and landslides.

Fire Chief Kristin Crowley conferred with Mayor Karen Bass and fire officials on January 21, addressing homeowners about the Palisades Fire, which resulted in 11 fatalities and the destruction of 6,662 homes and buildings.

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