By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Ahead of anticipated rain, the city of Los Angeles issued an evacuation warning for “possible debris flows” in the Palisades fire burn scar area, according to Los Angeles Fire Department, which will be in effect from Monday, October 13, at 10 p.m. through Wednesday, October 15, at 6 a.m.
“Prepare for possible evacuations in the zones: LFD-1081, 1083, 1085, 1087, 1089, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1095, 1096, 1097 and 0891 (Mandeville),” according to LAFD Spokesperson Margaret Stewart. “The Los Angeles Police Department will go door to door to visit each high-risk home with additional information.”
There are approximately 60 properties the city has reported to be “especially vulnerable to any potential debris flows,” which will be contacted by LAPD.
“The National Weather Service has forecasted rain and potential thunderstorms through Tuesday, October 14, across the LA region,” according to the city. “The NWS has also issued a Flood Watch impacting burn scar areas, including the Pacific Palisades, Hurst and Sunset burn scars, that will go into effect at 8 p.m. tonight, October 13, through Tuesday afternoon, October 14, with peak rainfall anticipated Tuesday morning.”
LAFD provided the following resources:
- Monitor real-time Los Angeles weather hazards and warnings.
- Sign up for local emergency alerts (city of Los Angeles = NotifyLA).
- Assure mobile phone settings allow wireless emergency alerts.
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio and television news.
- View official City of Los Angeles disaster service and recovery updates.
“Four to six hours of rain is likely with the coasts/valleys receiving up to 1.5 inches and the foothills/mountains up to 3.5 inches,” according to LAFD. “Additionally, winds of 40 to 55 mph are anticipated. There is a chance (10 to 20%) of significant flash flooding/debris flows across recent burn scars.”
LAFD provides sand and up to 25 free sandbags per household at “all LAFD fire stations” year-round. “As seasonal conditions warrant,” free sand is available at locations across city of LA, including LAFD Station 23, located at 17281 Sunset Boulevard in the Palisades.
“If you live near a hillside, please take precautions: clear gutters, move vehicles off the street and pickup sandbags at your nearest LAFD station,” Councilmember Traci Park said. “Stay indoors during heavy rain and sign up for updates at emergency.lacity.gov. Please stay alert and stay safe.”
Caltrans is closing a 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard—from Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Drive—two hours early at 10 p.m. on Monday until Tuesday at 5 a.m. in advance of the storm. The stretch of highway, which is “an active work zone for ongoing recovery efforts from the Palisades fire and winter storms,” is typically closed to the public between 12 and 5 a.m. daily.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced at 6:15 p.m. on Monday that his office pre-deployed additional storm safety resources to Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and Santa Barbara counties ahead of “extreme weather.”
“California is taking a proactive, coordinated approach to ensure every community is protected as this major Pacific storm moves in,” Newsom said. “State and local partners are mobilized, resources are in place and we urge all residents to heed safety guidance and stay vigilant as this weather evolves.”
Some of the pre-deployed resources include “swift-water rescue teams, mud and debris flow crews, as well as heavy-duty high-water vehicles.” More than 200 personnel and dozens of pieces of equipment, including fire engines, bulldozers, hand crews, helicopters and front loaders, have been prepositioned, according to Newsom.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3 p.m. with additional information from the city and updated again at 6:50 p.m. with information from Caltrans regarding Topanga Canyon Boulevard and the office of the governor regarding pre-deployed resources.
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