LOS ANGELES, Ca.— Southern California prepared for heavy rains followed by the strongest atmospheric river of the season causing evacuations to be ordered in some Los Angeles homes that are ravaged by high risk of mudslides and wildfires.
Brent Bower, a National Weather Service hydrologist says Southern California could receive as much as six inches of rain in the mountains and three inches in valleys and coastal areas. Power outages and flight delays are expected to happen due to powerful gusts of wind.
Warnings and evacuation orders were issued where hillsides were scorched by the Palisades fire. Scorched areas are at risk of mudslides due to the vegetation helping keep the soil that burned away. Also, adding loose debris to the landscape such as ash, soil and rocks.
Temporary concrete barriers and sandbags were in place across Altadena, where the Eaton fire destroyed thousands of homes. Officials distributed sandbags along with prepositioned rescue swimmers and told residents to have to-go bags ready for evacuation.
“If you can, stay off the roads today, especially this afternoon and evening,” the weather service office for Los Angeles posted on X.
Malibu schools were closed Thursday as well as the Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park due to the atmospheric river, a long band of water vapor that forms over the ocean and brings moisture from the tropics to northern latitudes.
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