New storm evacuation guidelines issued for mudslide areas

As Los Angeles County braces for another storm, new evacuation protocols have been established for foothill neighborhoods threatened by mudslides, officials said Thursday.

Color codes will be used to designate danger levels, and residents will now have to sign liability forms if they refuse to heed evacuation orders or try to return to their homes, said Nicole Nishida, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The guidelines apply to areas of La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Acton that were affected by the Station fire in August, officials said.

When the level is green, residents will be advised to monitor weather conditions. A yellow level indicates mandatory evacuations. Residents who evacuate in yellow conditions will be allowed to return to their homes before the order is lifted but will have to sign liability waivers, Nishida said.

Under a red level, residents who leave their homes will not be allowed to return until the evacuation warning is lifted.

Residents who refuse to heed evacuation orders will also have to sign waivers, according to Nishida.

Information on the new guidelines are posted on the website of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

The storm is expected to move into Southern California late Friday with an intense period of rain likely early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Comments

[commentator123]

For all the people who complain about the weather, about being evacuated, etc. you seem to forget YOU chose to live where you do. You chose to live up against a steep hillside and to ignore the laws of gravity. Quit whining about whose mud it is and who should remove it and do what you're told before you endanger any other rescue personnel. In this cash strapped economy, you're darn lucky public money is being extended to clean up the mess YOU, and the greedy builder who put you there, are using up. Anyone who lives in a geographically questionable area should be forced to sign a release before being allowed to live in these areas. No more public funds or FEMA $ to make up for builders' greed and poor decision making.