LOS ANGELES (AP) — Some homes were ordered evacuated in wildfire-scarred Los Angeles neighborhoods as Southern California was hit by a rare October storm that was expected to pummel the region with heavy rain, high winds and possible mudslides.
“We’re very concerned about the weather,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said during a news conference Monday night, explaining that strike teams, rescue teams and helicopters were all ready to respond.
The evacuations covered about 115 homes mostly in Pacific Palisades and Mandeville Canyon, both struck by a massive inferno in January that killed more than 30 people and destroyed over 17,000 homes and buildings in Los Angeles County. Wildfires can leave hillsides without vegetation to hold soil in place, which may make it easier for the terrain to loosen during storms.
Bass and other officials warned residents across the region to remain alert and stay indoors. The worst was expected to begin early Tuesday and carry through the afternoon, affecting power for more than 16,000 residents as of Monday night.
The storm could result in up to 4 inches of rain in some areas, according to the National Weather Service, which described it as a “rare and very potent storm system.”
Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, added that this storm could even bring tornadoes and highlighted the unpredictability of its effects.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has been patrolling the area, and a section of state Route 27, starting at the Pacific Coast Highway, was closed in anticipation of the storm.
High winds could knock down trees and power lines, presenting additional risks. Meanwhile, heavy rain had already begun falling by Monday evening across much of Northern California, leading to urban flooding.
Officials warned of potential mudslides similar to those experienced after past storms that caused significant damage and loss of life in wildfire-affected communities.
