Rain: the danger has not passed
Caution advised and be alert for storms starting Thursday
The danger has not passed in Los Angeles County, as more showers are expected from Thursday through the weekend. Experts from the National Weather Service (NWS) advise residents to follow emergency alerts and evacuation instructions from authorities due to the risk of landslides, mudslides, and flooding, especially in areas affected by the January fires, particularly Altadena and Pacific Palisades.
The passage of an atmospheric river Across various regions of Southern California, the storm caused landslides, downed trees, crashes under bridges on flooded freeways, debris flows, and intense cold, although, fortunately, civil and security authorities have not reported any fatalities. “A possible system of heavy rain is expected from Thursday night through Friday, with a forecast of drier air afterwards,” Eric Cohen of the NWS told La Opinion. Cohen stressed the importance of having emergency kits and multiple alert systems. He said the recent atmospheric rivers are attributed to moisture from the Pacific and weather disturbances, and the wettest November of the century is still under evaluation. Although sunshine and white clouds appeared, rainfall intensity was expected to be less than 12 millimeters per hour by Tuesday, with minor flooding across the region. However, isolated areas could see rainfall of up to 25 millimeters. which could trigger more severe flooding and mudslides.
Authorities are keeping a close eye on areas affected by the January fires, which are most prone to landslides and flooding due to the area's vulnerability following the recent blaze that destroyed vegetation and damaged the soil, especially after the heavy rain Monday night that dumped 1.5 inches on the Palisades Fire area.
In Altadena, the Eaton Fire area experienced significant rainfall with rates as high as 12.7 to 25.4 mm per hour, prompting a flash flood warning. The heavy rains on Monday caused minor flooding, rockslides, and possible minor debris flows, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a flood advisory and a flash flood watch for the region. Around 1 pm yesterday, the NWS warned of a severe thunderstorm on Highway 101 between Ventura and Carpinteria, which caused traffic chaos. Additionally, along the banks of the Rio Hondo in the San Gabriel Valley,the intensity of the rains washed away dirt paths that ended up in the riverbed. At that river, above the Rio Hondo Forest, under a bridge where the current was already almost nonexistent, 55-year-old Arturo Alvarez was shaking out a wet mattress and clothes. “Everything got wet,” said the man, who denied being homeless. “I used to live here, after my parents died.”
Beside where he rested and drew, in a makeshift tent covered by branches on the riverbed, two motorcycles, a bicycle, and an air conditioner could be seen. The river current hadn't swept them away.
While the weather conditions haven't been kind to people, there was also a possibility of light snow on Tuesday along the Grapevine section of Interstate 5.
“In addition to rain and snow, there was a risk of thunderstorms. As the upper-level low moves south, a mass of cold, unstable air would bring the threat of thunderstorms to all areas,” the National Weather Service reported. The threat of thunderstorms was limited to Los Angeles County, as well as inland areas of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Flash flood warnings have been lifted for Pasadena, Altadena, Pacoima, Monrovia, and Azusa, but vigilance remains. Collisions and Reckless Driving: In the tally of damage and serious incidents, on Saturday, one car collided with another on Highway 101 in Ventura, as heavy rain fell. Footage shows drivers slowing down to pass a disabled vehicle in the right lane when a faster driver rear-ended one of the cars. According to a video posted by Ventura Forward on Instagram, the accident occurred at 6:00 am The day before, in Fullerton, a black double-cab pickup truck overturned on the Chapman Avenue and its driver was taken to a hospital, at a time when the winter storm was at its worst. The pickup truck ended up on its roof. A light blue Ford SUV was traveling in the wrong direction and crossed into the oncoming lane, causing the driver of the black pickup truck to swerve and roll over. Also on Saturday, a huge tree crashed down and crushed a Toyota Rav4 parked on a street in Altadena, the area devastated by the Eaton Fire in January. Emergency and rescue crews took several hours to cut down and remove the tree. “The combination of waterlogged soil definitely makes it easier for trees to fall,” Cohen said. "Wind also plays a role. When wind combines with rain, trees [new or old] can fall."
The Los Angeles mayor's office announced that no significant damage was reported in the city, whose maintenance and rescue crews responded to minor incidents of downed trees and localized flooding.
“The Palisades Fire area and the San Fernando Valley experienced the heaviest rainfall,” said Mayor Karen Bass.
She added that the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) coordinated with the State of California to reinforce and deploy resources to respond to potential debris flows and flash flood conditions.
The LAFD also added two dispatchers at the Metro Fire Communications Center to assist with any potential increase in call volume.
In addition, the City's Emergency Operations Center was activated, and the Mayor's Office of Public Safety coordinated with The Department of Emergency Management, LAFD, LAPD, Los Angeles County Public Works, and relevant municipal departments ensured that all personnel responded efficiently and effectively to keep Angelenos safe.
Jonathan Torres, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said that the extent of the damage caused by the winter storm has not yet been determined.
For firefighters, who are responsible for responding to rescues and providing assistance in a 2,500-square-mile area, it is difficult to determine the material damage caused by the rains so far, especially since they have received thousands of calls.
“We will always recommend that people pay attention to emergency alerts and to the applications on computers and phones where everyone can be alerted to any danger,” Torres stated.
One person who was always available for any contingency was Mrs. Martha Morales, a street vendor of tamales and basket tacos.
“When the rain was so heavy, my children brought me clothes twice to change into,” she said. “I was soaked!” Although she appreciated the rain for several days, she didn't like that, as a result of the inclement weather, she was unable to sell her corn tamales. The wave of intense rains was compounded by the impossibility of working in the downpours over the weekend, and Latino street vendors, like Jorge Temoc Medrano, are now struggling to make ends meet. “For five days there were no sales,” said the immigrant flower vendor, who can be found every morning on a sidewalk at the intersection of Rosemead and San Gabriel Boulevards in the city of Montebello. His salary depends on his daily sales. “I pay $700 a month for a room in Los Angeles,” he said. "But we don't back down; we face the music, come rain or shine. If I don't have enough money, I'll take out a loan, because nobody forgives rent."and relevant municipal departments ensured that all personnel responded efficiently and effectively to keep Angelenos safe.
Jonathan Torres, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said that the extent of the damage caused by the winter storm has not yet been determined.
For firefighters, who are responsible for responding to rescues and providing assistance in a 2,500-square-mile area, it is difficult to determine the material damage caused by the rains so far, especially since they have received thousands of calls.
“We will always recommend that people pay attention to emergency alerts and to the applications on computers and phones where everyone can be alerted to any danger,” Torres stated.
One person who was always available for any contingency was Mrs. Martha Morales, a street vendor of tamales and basket tacos.
“When the rain was so heavy, my children brought me clothes twice to change into,” she said. “I was soaked!” Although she appreciated the rain for several days, she didn't like that, as a result of the inclement weather, she was unable to sell her corn tamales. The wave of intense rains was compounded by the impossibility of working in the downpours over the weekend, and Latino street vendors, like Jorge Temoc Medrano, are now struggling to make ends meet. “For five days there were no sales,” said the immigrant flower vendor, who can be found every morning on a sidewalk at the intersection of Rosemead and San Gabriel Boulevards in the city of Montebello. His salary depends on his daily sales. “I pay $700 a month for a room in Los Angeles,” he said. "But we don't back down; we face the music, come rain or shine. If I don't have enough money, I'll take out a loan, because nobody forgives rent."and relevant municipal departments ensured that all personnel responded efficiently and effectively to keep Angelenos safe.
Jonathan Torres, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said that the extent of the damage caused by the winter storm has not yet been determined.
For firefighters, who are responsible for responding to rescues and providing assistance in a 2,500-square-mile area, it is difficult to determine the material damage caused by the rains so far, especially since they have received thousands of calls.
“We will always recommend that people pay attention to emergency alerts and to the applications on computers and phones where everyone can be alerted to any danger,” Torres stated.
One person who was always available for any contingency was Mrs. Martha Morales, a street vendor of tamales and basket tacos.
“When the rain was so heavy, my children brought me clothes twice to change into,” she said. “I was soaked!” Although she appreciated the rain for several days, she didn't like that, as a result of the inclement weather, she was unable to sell her corn tamales. The wave of intense rains was compounded by the impossibility of working in the downpours over the weekend, and Latino street vendors, like Jorge Temoc Medrano, are now struggling to make ends meet. “For five days there were no sales,” said the immigrant flower vendor, who can be found every morning on a sidewalk at the intersection of Rosemead and San Gabriel Boulevards in the city of Montebello. His salary depends on his daily sales. “I pay $700 a month for a room in Los Angeles,” he said. "But we don't back down; we face the music, come rain or shine. If I don't have enough money, I'll take out a loan, because nobody forgives rent."As a result of the inclement weather, she was unable to sell her corn tamales. The wave of intense rains was compounded by the impossibility of working in the downpours over the weekend, and Latino street vendors, like Jorge Temoc Medrano, are now struggling to make ends meet. “For five days there were no sales,” said the immigrant flower vendor, who can be found every morning on a sidewalk at the intersection of Rosemead and San Gabriel Boulevards in the city of Montebello. His salary depends on his daily sales. “I pay $700 a month for a room in Los Angeles,” he said. "But we don't back down; we face the music, come rain or shine. If I don't have enough money, I'll take out a loan, because nobody forgives rent."As a result of the inclement weather, she was unable to sell her corn tamales. The wave of intense rains was compounded by the impossibility of working in the downpours over the weekend, and Latino street vendors, like Jorge Temoc Medrano, are now struggling to make ends meet. “For five days there were no sales,” said the immigrant flower vendor, who can be found every morning on a sidewalk at the intersection of Rosemead and San Gabriel Boulevards in the city of Montebello. His salary depends on his daily sales. “I pay $700 a month for a room in Los Angeles,” he said. "But we don't back down; we face the music, come rain or shine. If I don't have enough money, I'll take out a loan, because nobody forgives rent."