Severe Storm Causes Chaos in Areas Affected by Previous Fires
A powerful winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to the Northeast and severe weather to the South. Reports indicate that several mobile homes were damaged during severe weather in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service (NWS) will assess the damage to determine if a weak tornado was responsible for the wind issues.
Los Angeles County has issued evacuation warnings and orders for areas previously affected by wildfires in anticipation of heavy rainfall. Video footage from the Palisades burn scar area showed roads turning into mud streams as heavy rain fell at a rate of at least an inch per hour on Thursday evening.
According to experts, the combination of loose debris from wildfires and heavy rain can quickly lead to dangerous mudslides and debris flows. The California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) closed a section of the Pacific Coast Highway between Santa Monica and Malibu due to the high risk of mudslides.
In Malibu, a Los Angeles Fire Department vehicle was swept off the road by debris flow, but the driver managed to escape with minor injuries. Water rescues have been reported throughout Southern California, although there have been no reports of significant injuries.
Officials in Santa Barbara County have issued evacuation warnings for areas near burn scars due to the risk of flash flooding and mudslides. Residents in these areas are advised to be prepared to evacuate quickly if necessary.
In Orange County, voluntary evacuations were recommended for areas near burn scars, while mandatory evacuations were ordered in communities affected by the Line Fire. Several regions in Southern California, including areas hit by recent fires, are forecast to receive significant rainfall, raising the risk of flash floods.
The California Highway Patrol reported closures on two interstates near Dublin due to flooding. Crews are working to clear debris from roads in North Hollywood as the winter storm continues in higher elevations. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Sierra and White Mountains, with up to 7 feet of snow expected by the weekend.
Travel conditions are expected to be extremely challenging, with heavy snow and strong winds making travel nearly impossible. The most hazardous conditions are anticipated during morning and evening commutes on Thursday. In Northern California, over 1 million people are facing ice and snow hazards.
Storm warnings in Oregon. Across the West, the storm will wind down on Friday as it treks east, transforming into a winter storm for the eastern U.S. Dangerous ice storm threatens over 1 million in the Pacific Northwest Thursday: ‘This has us concerned’. Original article source: California atmospheric river’s relentless rains turn burn scars into roaring torrents of mud.
