The storm stronger so far from winter boreal has hit the state of California, where the Los Angeles authorities are preparing for floods and landslides in areas charred by large forest fires unleashed in January. Strong rainfall is expected to fall throughout the state, located on the west coast of the United States, with accumulations of up to 15 centimeters in 48 hours predicted in some areas of the region by the National Meteorological Service (NWS).
Weather Conditions and Risks
The fall of that volume of water in such a short period of time could cause problems in areas razed by the flames that left at least 29 dead last month. “There is a great risk of floods, especially in urban areas, and around them, as well as landslides dragging debris,” said Ryan Kittell, a NWS meteorologist, at the beginning of the week. The most dangerous areas are the fire-scarred hills of the Angelinas communities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
The risk of landslides increases in the hills of the area where the vegetation, which helps to take root the earth, was consumed by the flames. Also, the heat of fires hardens the ground and makes it less absorbent of rainfall. Local authorities said that those who live near these hills must be ready to evacuate their homes.
Preparations and Measures
Obreros placed in Los Angeles thousands of sandbags and concrete barriers in recent weeks in an attempt to limit soil erosion. In addition, the NWS explained that the afternoon and night period must be the most dangerous. “During these periods of maximum intensity it is possible that it rains between average and an inch (2.54 cms) per hour, with localized rainfall up to 1.2 inches per hour,” said the agency.
The storm is generated by an atmospheric river, as a large rain corridor is called thousands of liters of moisture from the Pacific Ocean. Although there is great concern about the possibility of floods, the State urgently needs rain. Until the beginning of February, the region had not registered significant rainfall in eight months.
