Rain evacuation warnings in Los Angeles for Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon, Hollywood
In a mix of good news and bad news typical of life in Southern California, the first notable rain in more than six months will help provide some much-needed moisture ahead of the fall fire season, but will also likely cause mudflows around burn scars from last season’s massive fires.
With 1.5 inches of rain expected in Los Angeles later today — and 2-4 inches in the mountains and foothills — officials have issued evacuation warnings for debris flows near recent burn areas from 10 p.m. tonight until 6 a.m. Wednesday. Residents of areas burned this year in the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hearst Fire in Sylmar, and Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills are advised to prepare to evacuate quickly if ordered to do so.
See details of the storm in the graphic below.
A just-issued alert from the National Weather Service reads: “The chances of large/damaging debris flows within and beneath recent burn scars have increased, especially in the Eaton, Palisades, and Bridge scars. If you live in or near a recent burn scar, follow law enforcement guidelines, and minimize travel to avoid flooding, debris flows, and mudflows.”
See details of rain arrival times in the graphic below.
On the plus side, the rain should help the region avoid a repeat of last January’s fires. These fires are primed to grow from a 2022 rainy season that recorded a total of 28.40 inches of rain in the Los Angeles area, followed by 25.19 inches through 2023. The seasonal average is about 14 inches. The key here is that in 2024, this growth dried up as the region experienced moderate drought conditions, including an eight-month period devoid of any measurable precipitation until fire season.
It has been nearly seven months since the Palisades and Eaton Fire burn areas received deluge and experienced mudflows that increased fire damage. This upcoming precipitation, while dangerous in itself, could prevent a repeat of the wet-dry fire cycle as the region enters fall and waits for winter rains.
City News Service contributed to this report.