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Powerful storm triggers mudslides, flooding, power cuts in LA
The rainstorm on Feb.13 was a welcome relief but was too much for some parts of the city to handle.
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LA Storm in Del Rey, Los Angeles. / Pallavi Mehra
In the days leading to the rainstorm, Los Angeles’ authorities prepared by adding concrete barriers to manage mudflows, prepositioned fire department search and rescue teams, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) was on standby to respond to power outages.
“I urge Angelenos citywide and especially in burn areas to stay vigilant as we continue to urgently prepare for the heavy rains that are to come,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “In addition to potential debris flows caused by the rain, we could also see high winds that could cause trees to fall. Thursday is not the time to be outside or on the road unnecessarily. Please exercise caution and heed official warnings. Our top priority is to keep people safe.”
On Feb.13, Southern California was battered by a powerful storm, leaving a trail of flooded streets, and power outages. While the much-needed rain offered a glimmer of hope for the dry region, the storm’s intensity exposed vulnerabilities in the infrastructure and raised concerns about the delicate balance between drought relief and the potential for devastating consequences.
Downtown Los Angeles witnessed record-breaking rainfall, exceeding levels not seen in nearly 70 years. The sheer volume of water overwhelmed drainage systems, turning streets like Melrose Avenue into rivers and flooding businesses.
Furthermore, the near-death experience of an LAFD firefighter, whose car was swept into the ocean by a debris flow, showcased the perilous conditions created by the storm. It was a scary reminder of the power of nature and the importance of heeding warnings from officials. “Avoid driving during the peak of the storm,” they urged, a message that should resonate with every resident.
While the 1 to 6 inches of rain across the region offered some relief from the persistent drought, experts warn that too much rain too quickly can be detrimental.
Climate scientist Daniel Swain rightly points out the precarious situation. “Southern California desperately needs more rain this season, and the good news is that this system will certainly bring some. The bad news is that it may fall too hard, too fast, to avoid a substantial risk of debris flows and perhaps flash flooding in, near, and downstream of recent wildfire burn areas in SoCal. This includes both the more recent fires in western/central L.A. County about a month ago, in January, as well as those that occurred during the other major SoCal wildfire outbreak in September (which were most intense/widespread in the mountains of eastern L.A. and western San Bernardino County). While the whole region should see a good soaking, the SoCal mountains will see widespread 3–6 inch totals (locally higher), and that does include most of the major recent fire footprints,” mentioned Daniel Swain.
Southern California needs rain, but it also needs responsible planning, proactive maintenance, and a community-wide commitment to safety. The lessons learned from this storm must not be washed away with the receding floodwaters.
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