California’s ongoing wildfires may soon come to an end as a weekend storm is expected to bring relief. However, this storm also presents a new challenge: flash floods. Flood watch alerts have been issued for areas in Los Angeles that have recently been affected by wildfires, including regions burned by the Palisades and Eaton Fires. The Palisades Fire has scorched 23,448 acres and is 77% contained, while the Eaton Fire, which has burned 14,021 acres, is 95% contained. These areas are under 24-hour flood watch, set to begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, due to the risk of debris flows.
The National Weather Service issued the warnings due to the possibility of mudslides in burn areas, particularly after a historic seven-month dry stretch, followed by heavy rain. Although the likelihood of significant flooding is relatively low, with a 10% to 20% chance of debris flow, the weather service urges residents to prepare for the worst. Along with the Palisades and Eaton fires, other areas affected by wildfires, such as the Bridge Fire and Hughes Fire, are also under flood watch due to their burn scars, which increase the risk of landslides.
In response, Los Angeles County and surrounding cities, including Pasadena and Baldwin Park, are offering sandbags to residents to help mitigate potential mudflows. Forecasters predict rain will begin Saturday afternoon and intensify on Sunday, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected, possibly accompanied by small hail. Los Angeles may receive up to a quarter-inch of rain, while some areas could see up to an inch, especially in San Diego.
Winter storm warnings are also in effect for Southern California’s mountains, where snowfall could accumulate up to 18 inches at higher elevations, with snow expected along the 5 Freeway. The region is still recovering from one of its driest winters in history, with only 0.14 inches of rain recorded since the start of the water year in October.
