Storm Prompts Evacuations, Residents Prep for Flash Floods
A powerful storm is moving toward Southern California, bringing much needed rain to the drought-racked Southland, but the snow, rain, and high winds forecasted are posing hazards to area residents.
Rainfalls beginning on Friday are expected to continue through Saturday and range between one and three inches in the coast and valley areas of Los Angeles County. Inland portions in the San Gabriel Mountains and area foothills will receive between three and six inches of rain. Some mountain slopes will see up to eight inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
A high surf advisory is in effect in L.A. County until early Sunday morning, and Orange County is under a flash flood watch until Saturday afternoon.
Of particular concern are parts of L.A. and neighboring counties that have been stripped clear during the last year by a spate of fires. Expecting a heavy flow of mud and debris - voluntary evacuations have been reported in Glendora - these sites of recent fires are under a flash flood watch:
- Hills above Glendora and Azusa, near January's Colby Fire
- Los Angeles National Forest, near January's 250-acre Madre Fire
- Near Monrovia's 125-acre Madison Fire
- 28,000 acres burned in May's Springs Fire in Ventura County
For those planning on traveling, the National Weather Service is advising motorists to check on the latest road reports before embarking. "Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle which includes a flashlight, food and water, extra clothes and blankets and tire chains," advises the National Weather Service.
The approaching storm is the second this week. A fast-moving storm arrived Wednesday night and was forecasted to bring between a half inch to one inch of rain to coastal and valley areas of L.A. County.
Updated Thursday February 27, 2014 | 11:46 p.m. PST
The following roads in Glendora are now closed, according to the Los Angeles County Public Works Department:
- Old San Gabriel Canyon Road from the Azusa ciy boundary to Angeles National Forest
- Glendora Mountain Road from Big Dalton Road to East Fork Road in the Angeles National Forest
- Glendora Ridge Road from Mount Baldy to Glendora Mtn. Road
At 1 a.m. on Friday, Bouquet Canyon Road will be closed in Agua Dulce.
Updated Thursday February 27, 2014 | 11:46 p.m. PST
Mandatory evacuation orders were placed on Glendora and Azusa residents who live near the site of January's Colby Fire.
In Azusa, residents on Ridge View Drive must evacuate. In Glendora, residents north of Sierra Madre Avenue between Azusa's western boundary and the west side of Little Dalton Wash.
An evacuation center has been set up at the Crowther Teen & Family Center at 241 W. Dawson Ave for residents of Azusa and Glendora.
