The latest in a series of winter storms arriving in force Saturday afternoon prompted evacuation warnings near the Eaton Fire burn scars in Altadena and portions of Pasadena.
One day after record rains pounded some Southland areas — putting a damper on the Rose Parade — the National Weather Service on Friday predicted a storm front arriving in the Southland early Saturday afternoon.
It was expected to bring rains totaling one to two inches, along with gusty winds, to Los Angeles County. Temperatures were expected to oscillate between the 50s and 60s.
Forecasters said the initial estimate is a quarter- to half-inch per hour with isolated rates up to .75 of an inch during the most intense storm period Saturday. Thunderstorm potential looked minimal, they said.
As always, the rainy forecast brought concerns of potential flooding, along with worries over mud and debris flows, particularly in recent burn areas.
To check on evacuation statuses, residents can download the Genasys Alert app or visit genasys.com.
Motorists were also advised to stay off the roads if possible, and to exercise extreme caution if they do drive.
For up-to-date information on the storm in Altadena, residents can visit lacounty.gov/emergency or sign up for emergency alerts at alert.lacounty.gov.
Pasadena residents can sign up for a localized emergency notification system known as PLEAS, or the Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System, by clicking here.
Officials in Altadena and Pasadena are offering free sand and sandbags to help residents protect homes from storm runoff and debris flows.
In Altadena, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department noted that “properly filled and placed sandbags can be used by residents to divert moving water, redirecting storm and debris flow away from your property.”
The county program requires proof of Altadena residency. The town’s official sandbag site is at the Los Angeles County Public Works Fleet Maintenance Yard, at 252 Mountain View St. in Altadena.
The City of Pasadena designates two fire stations as permanent sandbag distribution locations: Fire Station 37, 3430 East Foothill Boulevard, and Fire Station 38, 1150 Linda Vista Avenue.
Both stations offer self-serve sand and sandbags available year-round to Pasadena residents. During periods of anticipated rainfall, the stations typically operate distribution from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though availability may vary depending on weather conditions.
Residents are encouraged to collect sandbags before storms arrive, as supplies may become limited during high-demand periods.
The weather service added that several significant storms affecting southwestern California from October through December have brought seasonal rainfall totals already close to or above normal full-season levels, with January and February still to come.
State and local officials also have precautions in place for weather- related emergency response needs. Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to pre-position fire and rescue personnel and resources in areas most at risk for flooding, mud, and debris flows — including parts of Southern California, with a particular eye toward burn scar areas. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting Wednesday, when the board ratified a local emergency proclamation issued earlier by Solis.
The proclamation allows the county “to seek reimbursement for storm- related damages and accelerate recovery efforts” and ensure that “resources and assistance can be deployed quickly to support residents and communities affected by the storms.”
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