Feb. 19 — Foothill areas north of Los Angeles are under a flash flood watch as another winter storm approaches, threatening burn areas with more mudslides and prompting mandatory evacuations for hundreds of homes.
Los Angeles County authorities issued mandatory evacuation for residents of 188 homes in La Crescenta and La Cañada Flintridge.
An evacuation center has been set up at:
La Canada Presbyterian Church
626 Foothill Blvd.
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Map
The Red Cross recommends the following safety tips if your neighborhood is at risk of flooding and mudslides:
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.
Los Angeles County has implemented an emergency mass notification system that will be used to contact County residents and businesses via recorded phone messages, text messages or e-mail messages in case of emergency. The system, called Alert LA County, will be used by the County’s Emergency Operations Center to notify residents and businesses of emergencies or critical situations and provide information regarding necessary actions, such as evacuations.http://portal.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
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.
For updated weather information, visit the National Weather Service website.
