February 13th 2025.
According to a map from the National Weather Service, certain areas in California are currently under a flash flood warning. This is due to a powerful storm that is expected to bring dangerous flooding and debris flow to areas that were affected by recent wildfires in Los Angeles. The storm, known as an atmospheric river, is predicted to bring heavy rain and strong winds to areas that were already damaged by the most destructive fires in the county's history last month.
In response to this threat, evacuation warnings have been issued for areas that were impacted by the Palisades Fire, including Mandeville Canyon, where concerns about debris flow are high. Similar warnings have also been sent out for Trabuco Canyon and areas near the Airport Fire burn scar. These warnings went into effect at 7 am and will continue through Friday afternoon, affecting communities that are still recovering from fires such as the Eaton, Bridge, Franklin, Hurst, and Sunset fires.
One of the reasons that burn scar areas are more susceptible to debris flow is because the vegetation that normally holds the soil in place has been replaced by loose rocks, ash, and dirt. This was explained by Daniel Swain, a climate scientist from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. An atmospheric river, as described by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a narrow section in the air that carries water vapor outside of the tropics and often results in heavy rain or snow.
The National Weather Service has stated that the highest risk for flash flooding in Southern California urban areas is in and near recently burned areas. They have also advised those in these areas to listen carefully to instructions from local officials, as the flash flooding can be life-threatening. A map from the service shows the areas under the flash flood warning in green, covering Los Angeles County and the burn scar areas, as well as much of the central and northern coastal regions, with the exception of the Mojave Desert and San Joaquin Valley.
In light of the potential danger, officials in Los Angeles County have urged residents to be prepared for possible mandatory evacuation orders. As the storm is expected to bring strong winds, there is a risk of downed trees, power outages, and disruptions to flights. To prepare for this, a statewide effort has been made, including the distribution of 319,000 sandbags, the installation of barriers along 120 miles of Southern California, and the readiness of over 240 fire engines across eight counties.
This atmospheric river is a part of what AccuWeather has called the "stormiest stretch of winter," which began earlier this week and has affected 40 states and over 200 million people in the US. This series of storms has brought heavy rain to the West Coast, snow and sleet to the Midwest and Northeast, and flooding in the Southeast. As the storm continues to impact areas in California, it is important for residents to stay informed and prepared for any potential dangers.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
