Millions of Californians face a catastrophic flood risk as an atmospheric river brings torrential rainfall to Southern California, threatening life-threatening floods in areas near recent burn scars. Los Angeles County officials have issued evacuation orders for thousands of homes, citing the high risk of mudslides and property damage.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) describes an atmospheric river as a "long, narrow region in the atmosphere that transports most of the water vapor outside of the tropics." These storms are notorious for heavy snow, heavy rain, and strong winds, often hitting the West Coast during the winter months. While they can bring much-needed snow to supplement reservoirs, they also pose deadly risks of flooding, mudslides, and widespread power outages.
Residents in areas with recent burn scars are particularly at risk due to the altered landscape, which struggles to absorb water after wildfires. This can lead to rapid runoff, exacerbating flash flooding and mudslides downstream. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that excessive rainfall is the primary concern, with widespread flooding and debris flows likely across vulnerable burn scar areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties.
Evacuation orders are in place for properties deemed at higher risk due to their proximity to recent wildfires. Law enforcement personnel are conducting door-to-door contact to notify affected residents and urge them to follow all instructions from emergency responders throughout the duration of the event.
As millions of Californians prepare for the storm, officials are urging residents to remain storm-aware and heed all advice from local authorities. The NWS flood watch remains in effect through Saturday evening, with evacuation orders set to expire at 8 am on Sunday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) describes an atmospheric river as a "long, narrow region in the atmosphere that transports most of the water vapor outside of the tropics." These storms are notorious for heavy snow, heavy rain, and strong winds, often hitting the West Coast during the winter months. While they can bring much-needed snow to supplement reservoirs, they also pose deadly risks of flooding, mudslides, and widespread power outages.
Residents in areas with recent burn scars are particularly at risk due to the altered landscape, which struggles to absorb water after wildfires. This can lead to rapid runoff, exacerbating flash flooding and mudslides downstream. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that excessive rainfall is the primary concern, with widespread flooding and debris flows likely across vulnerable burn scar areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties.
Evacuation orders are in place for properties deemed at higher risk due to their proximity to recent wildfires. Law enforcement personnel are conducting door-to-door contact to notify affected residents and urge them to follow all instructions from emergency responders throughout the duration of the event.
As millions of Californians prepare for the storm, officials are urging residents to remain storm-aware and heed all advice from local authorities. The NWS flood watch remains in effect through Saturday evening, with evacuation orders set to expire at 8 am on Sunday.
I mean, who doesn't love a good excuse for a weekend staycation? Los Angeles County officials are basically saying "Hey, stay inside and enjoy the Netflix marathon you've been putting off... and also be prepared for a potential apocalypse". 
It's always fun when natural disasters become a valid reason to have an extended weekend. On a more serious note, I hope everyone in the affected areas is staying safe and getting the help they need. This storm does sound pretty intense though... 
You're gonna bring all that water and then just dump it all over these burn scars? It's like Mother Nature is playing some kinda cruel joke on us. 
. I hope everyone gets out safely and that the emergency responders can do their job 
. I'm not sure how Californians deal with these kinds of natural disasters, but it's clear they need more support from the government and each other 
. It's also wild to think about how climate change is affecting the environment and making these types of events more frequent 
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It's not like we're going to magically become more careful or anything. And what's with the evacuation orders being door-to-door? Don't they have better things to do than make sure everyone knows it's time to bug out? 
I mean, I get that safety is key and all, but can't they just put up some warning signs like normal people?! 
I'm getting that same feeling when I think of the '98 wildfires in LA - you know, how they burnt so fast and seemed like an eternity was over before it was all out? This atmospheric river thingy just sounds like another disaster waiting to happen, especially with those burn scars still fresh. Mudslides, flooding... my grandpa used to tell me stories about how the '50s storms would flood the whole valley, and now I'm living in a world where we have to worry about them too 
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. I mean, who needs a normal life when you can have the constant threat of catastrophic floods and mudslides, right? 
The whole thing just feels like one big mess 
. Just another reason to stay home and enjoy the view from your living room window... if you can afford to stay indoors, that is 
.
. The NWS needs to do more to warn people about this stuff 
. I feel bad for all those residents who have to evacuate their homes and leave everything behind 
. It's not just the rain that's a problem, it's the mudslides too...like, what if someone gets trapped in one? 
As this catastrophic flood risk approaches, it's a harsh reminder of nature's unpredictability and the importance of preparedness. The thought of evacuation orders for thousands of homes is unsettling, especially for those in areas with recent burn scars. It's a timely reminder to respect the power of nature and follow instructions from local authorities. 
. Only hope everyone stays safe through this storm 
and btw why did they not prepare for this earlier? like, we all knew those burn scars were gonna be a problem. 
. I mean, I've seen the news and it's crazy – millions of people facing catastrophic flood risks! I hope everyone stays safe and sound during this time. The thought of mudslides and property damage is just heartbreaking 
I remember when my grandma lived in a rural area that got hit by wildfires back in the day. The aftermath was just devastating – ash everywhere, trees were charred, and the whole landscape changed forever. It's heartbreaking to think of people having to deal with that again.
So, CA's got another chance to show off its famous " drought-to-flood" cycle 
I'm sure the folks near those burn scars are just thrilled to be on high alert for mudslides and power outages... because nothing says "vacation" like potentially losing your home. 
. I hope everyone in evacuation zones gets to safety ASAP 
. This storm is a major wake-up call for California - they need to be super prepared and take this seriously. Can't say enough about how grateful I am for all the amazing first responders out there, keeping people safe and informed 
And what about those who don't have homes near burn scars... are they exempt or what?