LA County Officials Urge Residents to Prepare Ahead of Storm Threatening Burn Areas

Los Angeles County officials are urging residents, particularly those living near recent wildfire burn scars, to prepare for a fast-moving storm system expected to bring heavy rainfall and heightened flood risks beginning late Monday evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch across the region, forecasting up to 1.75 inches of rain in valley areas and two to four inches in mountain zones through Wednesday morning. Officials warn of short bursts of high-intensity rainfall, thunderstorms, and an increased risk of waterspouts and tornados.

Recent burn areas — including Eaton, Palisades, Hawk, Hurst, Kenneth, Sunset, Lidia, Bridge and Franklin — remain highly susceptible to mud and debris flows. Los Angeles County Public Works weather forecasters and engineers expect potentially significant flash flooding and mudflows in these recent burn scar areas.

“While this may be a short-duration storm, even a burst of intense rain can quickly create dangerous conditions in burn areas,” said Mark Pestrella, P.E., director of Los Angeles County Public Works. “Our crews are ready, and we urge residents to make personal safety their top priority. Avoid driving on mountain roads or in burn areas, if at all possible, and keep trash cans and vehicles off streets to allow storm runoff to travel freely.”

Storm-related issues such as fallen trees, flooded intersections, and malfunctioning traffic signals can be reported via the Los Angeles County Public Works 24-hour helpline at 1-800-675-4357.

“We are actively monitoring conditions and coordinating with emergency response agencies,” Pestrella added. “Our goal is to keep people safe and minimize storm impacts to the community.”

Officials encourage residents to sign up for emergency alerts at ready.lacounty.gov and follow @readylacounty and @lacopublicworks on social media for real-time updates.