Authorities Urge Residents to Prepare for Coming Storm

Pasadena authorities are warning residents that the major winter storm predicted in a National Weather Service Warning to strike the area Friday night and continue through the weekend has the potential to create danger and cause damage.

Weather services report that the storm will bring winds, thunderstorms, chilly air and may also create flash flooding, power outages and a rash of motor vehicle accidents.

Intermittent light showers to be followed by heavy rainfall are expected as early as 1:00 a.m. on Saturday and will last throughout the day and well into Sunday, with an average temperature of 59° F on Saturday and 58° F on Sunday. Rainfall estimates range between .75 and 1.5 inches, with the foothills and mountains expecting rainfall levels between 1.5 to 3 inches.

There is also the possibility of thunderstorms on Saturday that could produce brief heavy rain as well as small hail.

Snow — 10 to 16 inches of it — is also possible for elevations above 6,000 feet with lighter accumulations across the lower mountain regions, according to the National Weather Service.

In Pasadena, the Fire Department is offering sandbags for property protection. Meanwhile the launch of a major community event, the city’s first community-wide book festival, LitFest, has been cancelled and postponed until May.

Pasadena residents can pick up sand and sandbags at Fire Station 37, 3430 E. Foothill Blvd., and Fire Station 38, 1150 Linda Vista Ave.  Fire safety officers will be available to answer questions.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works  is advising travelers of the following forest road closures due to predicted snow from 5:00 a.m., Saturday, March 17, 2012 onward:

• Angeles Forest Highway from Aliso Canyon Road to Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road
• Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road from Angeles Forest Highway to SR-2 (Angeles Crest Highway)

These roads will be maintained for emergency purposes only. The roads will be inaccessible to the public until weather conditions improve.

Camping and hiking are discouraged by authorities.

The Pasadena Fire Department is issuing the following rain-related safety tips:

• Clear debris and overgrowth from drainage channels and rain gutters.
• Keep your car’s gas tank full; power outages might shut down gas pumps.
• Stay away from storm drain channels and other bodies of water.
• Keep your disaster kit updated.
• Allow extra time and caution for travel.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/disaster or call (626) 744-7276.