Los Angeles: After the fires, a strong storm raises fears of landslides

The Californians will once again endure a climate crisis this winter. California is preparing to undergo its strongest storm in winter, which raises fears of floods and landslides in the burned areas in January around Los Angeles.

Between Wednesday and Friday, the south of the state will receive up to 15 cm of precipitation in places, according to the American weather services (NWS). What worry the authorities of the American megalopolis, who still haunt the wounds of fires that killed nearly thirty people last month.

Floors weakened by the lights

The authorities recommend that Californians living near burnt down areas to be ready to evacuate. Because the floors weakened by fire drip water faster, which creates mud flows that can sometimes degenerate into landslides.

“Our municipal services are on alert,” insisted the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass. City employees have installed thousands of sandbags and concrete barriers in recent weeks to try to limit soil erosion, she said on Tuesday.

The fires that ravaged the city and its surroundings notably affected the Pacific Palisades district, a posh area located in the hills overlooking the city, where slope grounds constitute a threat during heavy rain.

The city of Altadena, another very affected area in the suburbs of Los Angeles, is also backed by mountains.

The strongest of the storm is expected on Thursday, according to the NWS. “It is recommended that everyone stay away from the roads as much as possible Thursday and on the night of Thursday to Friday,” said the meteorologist.

An “atmospheric river”

“We are of course concerned about (Pacific) Palisades and the areas burned, but it is the whole of Los Angeles who must be concerned with the rain and its consequences,” insisted the mayor of the city.

As often in California, this storm is due to an “atmospheric river”, a gigantic rain corridor which transports the water vapor stored in the tropics around Hawaii.

The precipitation it brings are eagerly awaited: before the beginning of February, southern California had not recorded significant rains for eight months.