It’s raining again. This storm is not expected to bring as much rain as last week’s, but things are still pretty soggy out there so officials are advising residents to be alert. The Los Angeles’s Emergency Management Department posted some helpful tips on driving in the rain and being alert for potential flooding we thought we’d share.
Also from the city’s emergency preparedness website:
Los Angeles is a semi-desert area of mountains, canyons, ravines and vast basins which can create problems when major thunderstorms, high winds and other bad weather strike. Flooding can quickly occur in the mountain passes and valleys, and mudslides are common on hillsides with very little vegetation. Southern California’s dry rivers, creek beds and deep slot canyons can be especially dangerous for those caught by a rapidly moving flash flood.
- Floods can occur at any time, though many happen after heavy spring rains, tropical storms and the melting of winter snow.
- Just six inches of rapidly moving flood water can knock a person down. It only takes two feet of water to float a large vehicle.
- Floods can be slow or fast rising but most develop over a period of days.
- Mudslides can easily travel faster than 10 miles per hour
- Flash floods can turn a calm landscape into a raging river just minutes.
- Most flash floods are caused by slow-moving thunderstorms, hurricanes or tropical storms, but also by dam or levee failures.
- Flash floods can move boulders, knock down bridges, and destroy buildings.
- Walls of water, often filled with debris, can reach up to 20 feet.
- If you receive a warning or are caught in a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground.
About Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard is the co-editor and publisher of the Larchmont Buzz. Patty lives with her family in Fremont Place. She has been active in neighborhood issues since moving here in 1989. Her pictorial history, "Larchmont" for Arcadia Press is available at Chevalier's Books.
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