As another powerful storm moves in, Southern California braces for heavy rains, mud flows and power outages [Updated]
What forecasters say may be the strongest storm of the week is rolling into Southern California this morning, with heavy rain expected to hit in the late morning through early evening, bringing a threat of flash floods and mudslides to L.A.'s rain-soaked foothills.
The storm’s main front could bring between 0.50 and 0.75 inches of rain an hour, forecasters said, warning of possible thunderstorms that could increase that figure to more than 1 inch an hour. The rain is expected to lessen tonight, but showers are possible Friday.
[Updated at 10:34 a.m.: Caltrans has closed all lanes of northbound Interstate 5 at Templin Highway and southbound lanes at the Grapevine because of snow.]
The National Weather Service is warning of life-threatening mud and debris flows in areas stripped of vegetation by last year's Station fire. About 1,000 homes have been ordered evacuated.
Residents in La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Acton were told they may have to stay away from their homes until Monday, said Nicole Nishida, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. About 500 homes in those areas were under mandatory evacuation order, and about 75% of residents had left their homes.
“That is a long time, but we want them to be safe,” she said, adding that residents could be allowed back earlier.
Rain tapered off this morning in La Cañada Flintridge, but Nishida warned that the ground was still saturated.
“We aren’t out of the woods yet,” she said.
Evacuation orders were still in effect for 262 homes in southern Tujunga Canyon, said Deputy Operations Chief Lt. Jeffrey Bert of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Residents were being escorted back on a case-by-case basis, he said.
“Some people might need medicine, but we strongly encourage people to stay evacuated,” Bert said.
[Updated at 9:49 a.m.: On Ocean View Boulevard in the La Cañada/La Crescenta area this morning, it was sprinkling lightly. Some L.A. County cleanup crews are mopping up minor mud flows and other debris from overnight runoff.
Officials this morning are gearing up for mudslides that are predicted to hit the areas denuded by the wildfires in late morning to early afternoon; they also warned several hundred residents who opted to ignore evacuation orders that they should leave.
The debris basins and flood control channels in the La Cañada Flintridge, Acton and La Cresenta areas, as well as the Tujunga Canyon area, are nearly at capacity, which could cause mudslides if a hard downfall occurs, said Gail Farber, Los Angeles County public works director.
No major incidents of debris flows or runoff has been reported early this morning, Farber said, but she warned that “the storm is not over."]
About 3,000 customers in Brentwood and Koreatown did not have power this morning after their electricity was knocked out late Wednesday because of the storm, said officials with the Department of Water and Power, who also warned that the storm could down power lines, creating hazards.
About 5,400 residents in Valencia, Phelan, Chino Hills, Rowland Heights and Whittier remained without power this morning, according to Southern California Edison.
Scattered showers were reported this morning, the leading edge of the big storm. The rain caused numerous accidents, jamming the morning commute. In Long Beach, which has been hard-hit by this week's rain, the mayor urged residents to avoid driving today if possible, and Cal State Long Beach was closed.
-- My-Thuan Tran and Amina Khan in Los Angeles, Sam Quinones and Jill Leovy in La Cañada Flintridge, Russ Stanton in La Crescenta and Tony Barboza in Long Beach.
Photo: Ernie Aleman, left, and Daniel Johnson with Los Angeles County Department of Public Works clear small debris on Derwood Drive off Ocean View Boulevard in La Cañada this morning. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
We don't have a Deputy Operations Chief Lt. Jeffrey Bert at the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
Posted by: LAFD | January 21, 2010 at 10:03 AM
How can I get the workers pictured over to my house. I have lots of work more needed than what they are doing. Who is paying for these workers?
Posted by: AdoptiveFather, Los Angeles CA | January 21, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Hats off to LAFD for their hard work with full dedication and devotion..
U guys Rock and make this country proud!!!
God Bless America
Posted by: Brian | January 21, 2010 at 11:10 AM
LAPD perhaps?
Posted by: anonymous | January 21, 2010 at 11:30 AM
better save as much rain as you can in dirty old soda bottles and dented thimbles... you're gonna need it so-cal losers.
Posted by: howardroark43 | January 21, 2010 at 04:46 PM
Unfortunately the people and citizens of Calilfornia will have to do the clean up by themselves as they are US citizens, and ole obammie boy is sending US resources to a forgein country. Can't help our own like he should be. Remeber that if you get something from the red cross they will eventually want to be paid back, so people of LA and the region be careful. My prayers and wishes are with all of you
Posted by: hockey | January 21, 2010 at 09:08 PM
What are those idiots union dudes doing in the picture? Hard at work no doubt...
Posted by: TedB | January 21, 2010 at 09:26 PM
Used to live in CA. Both Southern and Northern CA. Glad I left! I tell people across the USA. YES, CA does have its rainy seasons. BOY, when it rains in CA? It really RAINS! Such as floods, mudslides, and state of emergencies. Especially when CA calls DC for nationwide assistance. To even think? CA wants to claim its own sovereign nation? Due to its facade economy? Worst State debt across the Union? Guess again?
Posted by: Emperor Lucifur | January 22, 2010 at 07:24 AM