Southern California Welcomes Rainfall This Week, State Government Addresses Debris Flow Risk

According to the forecast by the National Weather Service, two storm systems are set to hit Southern California this week, bringing much-needed rainfall to the area. However, state government officials are working around the clock to ensure that areas recently affected by wildfires are protected from the threat of mudslides.

The first storm entered Santa Barbara County on Monday night, bringing rain to the area. Los Angeles County and Ventura County experienced rainfall on Tuesday.

The second storm system is expected to impact the same region on Thursday and Friday, with the majority of precipitation occurring from Thursday night to Friday afternoon, mainly focusing on Los Angeles County and Ventura County.

While the rainfall is beneficial for California’s recovery from years of drought, Governor Gavin Newsom expressed concerns that the rain could trigger more mudslides in the burn scar areas of the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire.

Governor Newsom stated that although the rainfall in the region is expected to be of moderate intensity, there is a 10% to 20% chance of moderate mudslide disasters if heavy rainfall hits the recent burn areas.

Mudslides could potentially damage drinking water sources, infrastructure, and pose significant threats to human health and wildlife habitats, Newsom warned.

Disaster preparedness efforts have already been initiated. Newsom has ordered state officials to deploy nearly 60 miles of emergency protection materials in the vicinity of the two recent wildfires. This work aims to reduce the risk of mudslides, protect personnel, and preserve the integrity of natural resources.

In terms of emergency response, Newsom has directed the California Office of Emergency Services to coordinate resources with state and local partners to assist affected communities.

Nearly 5,800 protective barriers have been installed at affected locations throughout California, totaling over 310,000 feet (58 miles) in length.

In the burn scar area of the Palisades Fire, workers have erected 7,350 feet of straw barriers to prevent soil erosion and filter water flow during storms. Additionally, compost rolls and filter nets have been laid to protect water sources.

In the burn scar area of the Eaton Fire, workers have also installed nearly 140,000 feet of straw barriers and compost rolls to enhance land protection.

Currently, parts of the Pacific Coast Highway in the Palisades Fire area have been reopened. The California Department of Transportation announced on Monday morning at 8 a.m. that this iconic coastal highway is accessible to all drivers.

Due to ongoing repair work, certain sections of the highway are limited to one lane in each direction and are subject to a speed limit of 25 miles per hour. The California Department of Transportation strongly advises drivers to allow extra time for potential traffic delays or to avoid the area if possible.