Jan 22 — In response to significant rainfall with potential for landslides in recent burn areas, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, Antelope Valley Chapter, San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter, Glendale-Crescenta Valley Chapter and the City of Sierra Madre have opened the following evacuation/shelter sites:
La Cañada High School
4463 Oak Grove Dr.
La Cañada Fltrdg, CA 91011
Sunland Recreation Center
8651 Foothill Blvd.
Sunland, CA 91040
Glendale Civic Auditorium
1401 North Verdugo Road
Glendale, CA 91208
Sierra Madre Recreation Center
611 East Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles has provided the following safety tips on what to do if you are at risk of potential flooding and mudslides:
Know What to Expect
Know your area’s flood risk. If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood and listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.
Floods Can Take Several Hours to Days to Develop
- A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
- A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing
- First aid kit and essential medications.
- Canned food and can opener.
- At least three gallons of water per person
- Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
- Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
- Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places . . . a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
When a Flash Flood WARNING Is Issued
- Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
- Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades . . . they are there for your safety.
- If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
Be alert of mudslide danger
Landslides and mudslides are typically associated with periods of heavy rainfall. In areas burned by forest and brush fires, a lower threshold of precipitation may initiate landslides.
- If your area has a history of mudslides, stay alert. Many fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Listen to local radio for warnings of intense rainfall.
- If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows, consider leaving if it is safe to do so.
- Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
- If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and for a change from clear to muddy water.
- Be especially alert when driving.
