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Flash Flood Warnings for L.A. County Burn Areas: Storm Intensifies

As thunderstorms loom over the horizon, a flash flood warning has been issued for areas scorched by the Franklin fire and a section of the Palisades fire, encompassing Malibu and parts of the Santa Monica Mountains. The alert was declared by the weather service at 7:40 p.m. on Sunday and is projected to remain in effect until 11 p.m.

The warning, regarded as the highest level of flood alert, comes with a stark caution from the weather service about the potential for life-threatening debris flow. Radar and rain gauges have detected thunderstorms unleashing heavy rainfall across the warned region, which includes Malibu, Malibu Creek State Park near Calabasas, and the winding roads of Malibu Canyon and Las Virgenes through the Santa Monica Mountains.

Reports indicate rainfall rates of 0.39 of an inch per hour near Pepperdine University, with forecasters warning that higher rates are likely occurring. A deluge of half an inch per hour or more could trigger debris flow in areas ravaged by wildfires, posing a significant risk to roads and residences. Debris flow occurs when water cascades downhill, gathering mud, rocks, branches, and even boulders that can wreak havoc on vehicles and homes, potentially endangering lives.

Witness accounts of mudslides and debris flows have started to surface, underscoring the imminent threat. In Pacific Palisades, officials disclosed that efforts were underway to clear mud accumulation on Palisades Drive, while black ash-laden water had reached the shore. ABC7 Eyewitness News captured the intense struggle of residents in Woodland Hills as they worked to extricate vehicles ensnared in mudslides.

Caltrans announced just before 5 p.m. that mudslides in Topanga Canyon had necessitated the closure of a section of Pacific Coast Highway, with subsequent reports of flooding along the highway as the evening progressed. The weather service has also issued a flood advisory for areas impacted by the Palisades, Franklin, and Kenneth fires, signaling a heightened risk of flooding.

Furthermore, a flood advisory was extended to encompass a vast expanse of L.A. County, spanning from the Westside and the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass to regions around Los Angeles International Airport, the South Bay, San Fernando Valley, and Hollywood Hills. Instances of minor road flooding have been reported in Venice and Santa Monica, underscoring the widespread impact of the storm.

Additionally, an advisory for southwestern Santa Barbara County, stretching from Point Conception to Santa Barbara City, has been issued and is slated to expire at 11 p.m., while the flood advisory for L.A. County remains in effect until midnight. The Franklin fire, which swept through Malibu, and the Kenneth fire, which blazed on the western fringes of Woodland Hills, have set the stage for potential flooding and debris flow.

Amidst the tumultuous weather conditions, a flood watch has been in effect since 10 a.m. on Sunday, persisting until 4 p.m. on Monday for areas impacted by the Eaton fire in Altadena and Pasadena, the Palisades and Franklin fires in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, the Hughes fire near Lake Castaic, and the Bridge fire in the San Gabriel Mountains. The flood watch signals a looming threat of flooding in these vulnerable regions, urging residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant in the face of nature’s fury.

In light of the escalating storm intensity, residents are advised to stay informed, heed evacuation orders if necessary, and take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves and their properties from the impending flash floods and debris flows. As the weather continues to unleash its wrath, the community must band together to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.