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Southern Californians Flee Homes Again as Severe Storm Threatens Debris Flows

Southern Californians are evacuating their homes for the second time this year, but this time, it’s due to heavy rain and debris flows that pose a significant risk to areas still recovering from last month’s wildfires.

The Arrival of the Year’s Strongest Storm

A powerful, atmospheric river-fueled storm is drenching hundreds of miles of California, drenching coastal areas and valleys in Southern California, including the Los Angeles basin, with up to 3 inches of rain through Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Mountainous areas could see up to 6 inches.

Heavy rain has already reached parts of Los Angeles County and is expected to intensify, leading to increased flooding if it continues.

Latest Updates on the Storm’s Impact

Heavy rain is affecting California: The storm is currently impacting central parts of the state and progressing south along the coast into portions of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Flood alerts have been issued from north of the San Francisco Bay Area through coastal portions of Los Angeles County.

Evacuations in six counties: Communities near fire-scarred areas in Southern California are under evacuation warnings or orders due to the high risk of debris flows and mudslides. Portions of San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Orange, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties, including Malibu, are affected. Evacuation warnings are also in place in Santa Cruz County for low-lying areas along the San Lorenzo River.

Flood risk extends beyond burn scars: Flood alerts cover a large portion of California, with potential for flash flooding in urban or poorly drained areas across Northern and Southern California. Rock and mudslides have been reported in the Santa Cruz Mountains near San Francisco.

Preparations and Emergency Measures

Officials are scrambling to prepare, implementing measures such as cleaning debris basins, installing concrete barriers, and placing sandbags in fire zones. Search-and-rescue teams, deputies, and helicopters are on standby should evacuation become necessary.

Residents like Carr are taking precautions, clearing debris and fortifying their properties. Despite efforts, fire-scarred hillsides remain vulnerable to mudslides and debris flows.

The California Conservation Corps has deployed erosion control measures like sock wattles to trap ash and debris before it contaminates waterways.

The Broader Impact

The threat is particularly acute in communities such as Altadena and the Palisades, where homes sit precariously on steep slopes. The unstable soil in these areas poses a significant risk if heavy rain continues.

Operations may be suspended if conditions become unsafe. “If the rain is too heavy and we can’t operate safely, we’ll stop,” Swenson said. The state’s rapid-response system will be activated if mudslides occur.

The wildfires of January cause severe destruction, with nearly 17,000 structures lost in areas like Altadena and the Palisades. The scale and scope of the damage heighten concerns for residents in these regions.

This scale of destruction evokes comparisons to the