Risk rises for #mudslides around #LACounty fire zones; prepare for worst-case scenario, officials warn

Alene Tchekmedyian, Rong-Gong Lin II, Melody Gutierrez, LA Times
January 26, 2025

"With more rain on the way, officials warned Sunday of an increasing risk of mudslides in #LosAngelesCounty's burn areas, with a 10% to 20% chance of significant #FlashFlooding and #DebrisFlows capable of damaging roads and homes in and around areas devastated by #wildfires.

"'This is the worst-case scenario to prepare for,' said Kristan Lund, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

"'We do have increasing concern for the #BurnScars,' Lund said. The charred footprint of the Eaton fire, which blackened more than 14,000 acres, is the most worrisome. 'These #FlashFloods and these debris flows could happen in and near or below these burn scars.'

"A #FloodWatch took effect at 10 a.m. Sunday and was set to continue through 4 p.m. Monday for the burned areas of the #EatonFire in the #Altadena and #Pasadena areas; the #PalisadesFire and #FranklinFires in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas; the Hughes fire around Lake Castaic; and the Bridge fire in the San Gabriel Mountains west and southwest of Wrightwood. The flood watch started six hours earlier than originally anticipated as rain began falling steadily around Los Angeles."

Read more:
https://www.aol.com/news/risk-rises-mudslides-around-l-170323295.html
#ClimateCrisis #CaliforniaFires #BurnScar #FlashFloodWarning #FloodDanger #Mudslides #CaliforniaWx

How wildfires leave communities vulnerable to flooding, mudslides for years

#Wildfires of every size leave behind something known as a #BurnScar, or the area of land charred by flames and left devoid of vegetation.

By Brian Lada

"#Flooding and #DebrisFlows can happen with little warning in burn scars and most commonly occur during a heavy thunderstorm or major #rainstorm.

"'Rainfall that would normally be absorbed will run off extremely quickly after a #wildfire, as burned soil can be as water repellent as pavement. As a result, much less rainfall [than normal] is required to produce a #FlashFlood,' The National Weather Service (#NWS) said."

Read more:
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/how-wildfires-leave-communities-vulnerable-to-flooding-mudslides-for-years/432537#google_vignette
#CaliforniaFires #BurnScars #FloodDanger

Yeesh, these fires keep getting so close to #monument #oregon. Hoping that the weather cooperates and we can start mapping potential #debrisflows

#wildfire #pnw #2024fireseason