Los Angeles Issues Evacuations as Powerful Storm Threatens Flash Floods

The city of Los Angeles has issued a voluntary evacuation order for thousands of residents ahead of what is anticipated to be Southern California's most powerful winter storm of the season. The storm poses significant risks including potential life-threatening flash flooding and debris flows from burn scars caused by recent wildfires. The evacuation order, set to take effect at 7 a.m. PT (10 a.m. ET), will remain in place until Friday afternoon and specifically targets areas affected by the large Palisades Fire last month, as well as the communities impacted by the Eaton, Hurst, Franklin, Bridge, and Sunset fires.

Rainfall and Evacuation Orders

While the evacuation warnings are not currently enforceable orders, the Los Angeles Fire Department has indicated that houses in high-risk areas will be visited by firefighters and issued specific evacuation orders. Depending on how the storm develops, widespread enforcement orders could follow. The National Weather Service has cautioned that flash flooding is expected across urban areas in the region, with the highest risk located in and near recent burn scar areas in Southern California. They emphasized the life-threatening nature of flash flooding in burn scars and urged those living in recently burned areas to heed the instructions of local officials.

In response to the impending storm, a statewide initiative has been mobilized, deploying almost 120 miles of barriers around Southern California to redirect and prevent rain runoff and debris from burn scars from entering rivers and lakes. This large-scale operation involves the distribution of319,000 sandbags, along with the deployment of more than 240 fire engines and 400 personnel across eight counties. Public workers are actively engaged in clearing drains and providing sandbags to residents as part of the preparation efforts to mitigate the impact of the impending storm.