Posted on 01/18/2010 12:39:22 PM PST by Beaten Valve
The first in a series of powerful Pacific storms began sweeping through Southern California today, causing hazardous driving conditions and high surf and prompting flash-flood warnings for fire-ravaged hillsides.
“It looks like we’re definitely in for a rainy week,” said Bill Patzert, a meteorologist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge. “It’s going to get heavier and messier.”
Experts said the system -- consisting of three major storms -- could be among the most powerful to batter the region since 2005, when record rains drenched the area, causing havoc on roads and hillsides.
The National Weather Service was also predicting high surf and fierce winds gusting up to 75 mph, with substantial snowfall in higher elevations. The risk of flash floods and mudslides is especially severe in communities near burn areas, notably those below the 250-square-mile Station fire zone, where authorities cited a serious threat of mud and debris flows.
Officials have put in place large swaths of sandbags and concrete barriers as a precautionary move, while closing sections of Angeles Crest Highway and Big Tujunga Canyon Road. “We are prepared to deal with anything that nature may throw at us,” said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Metro of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. “Months of preparation have gone on prior to this day.”
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
Anyone know how to get in touch with Obama for some of that disaster relief??
I’m in Westwood on Wilshire Blvd....its nasty out there...
Baby it’s wet outside!
Sorry, money is all gone. Bush’s fault.
Were not that far from each other. It’s pouring here near Olympic/La Cienaga. They already issued a flash flood warning
good luck.
I’m in Malibu on the PCH staying on the water. The house is getting hammered! The seagulls that once were soaring through the air are being tossed around like a piece of paper. No mudslides yet....still have power, but this storm is no where near over!
The power keeps going out here in Lake Arrowhead. Pouring rain and very windy. Currently, the snow level is at 7K but dropping tonight.
Stay safe.
We’re in the San Fernando Valley — big messes here too - torrential rains and wind — it all started 24 hours ago and got much worse early this a.m.
Lots of fire engines heard in distance - probably more accidents than normal.
Hollywood Hills’ residents urged to evacuate in some areas including burn areas.
Here they come again —— more sirens...................
This is expected to last about 5 more days and then more next week!
Hollywood, CA...meh. Grew up in British Columbia and used to the hard rain.
My brother is in Northridge right now working on his house that he just purchased recently. Bad timing with all the rain but it had to be done today. It’s pouring rain here on the Westside and my cousin in Simi Valley emailed me telling me that its raining cats, dogs, you name it. We definitely do need the rain, but the burn areas don’t so my heart goes out to them
We’ve been pounded up her in the Mother Lode as well. I’m assuming it ALL of CA that is being pelted with wind and rain.
I’m leaving early (live downtown) thankfully its a Holiday...freeways are still going to be a mess...good day to go to Don Antonios for Margaritas!
I LOVE Malibu..used to live in Latigo Canyon for about 6 months...love storms on the beach. Stay dry!
It stopped raining here right now so right now we have a break. Hopefully it won’t be pouring tonight when people go to the Laker game against Orlando..GO LAKERS!
I live on Figueroa (about 2 miles from Staples Center...) Yikes -TRAFFIC + RAIN + DOWNTOWN....
Oh WOW so your right there. Yeah Downtown tonight is gonna be nuts. Downtown is always crazy during rush hour but with all the rain and the game tonight its gonna be insane
What possible preparation is there for a mud slide?
Get out of the way....
I’m in the Bay Area, and our pool had such high waves my mother wouldn’t let my son go into the back yard. :)
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