Mudslides and debris flows grip Los Angeles as much needed rain arrives to California
Southern California saw its first significant rainfall in weeks on January 26, 2025, bringing much-needed relief from wildfires but also triggering flash floods and debris flows across Los Angeles County.
- Southern California received moderate rainfall on January 26, with totals reaching up to 30.5 mm (1.2 inches) in some areas, following weeks of wildfire activity.
- Flash Flood Warnings were issued for Los Angeles County, particularly in burn scar regions, where debris flows caused hazardous conditions.
- The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to incidents in Woodland Hills, where debris flows trapped several vehicles as rain rushed down hillsides.
Southern California received much-needed precipitation on Sunday, January 26, after enduring devastating wildfires throughout much of January.
While rainfall totals were not particularly significant, with the heaviest rainfall of approximately 30.5 mm (1.2 inches) recorded between San Fernando and Simi Valley, the National Weather Service (NWS), issued Flash Flood Warnings, and debris flows occurred across much of Los Angeles County, particularly in burn scar areas.
Most areas received between 7.6 – 12.7 mm (0.3 – 0.5 inches) of rain, with a few isolated pockets exceeding 25.4 mm (1 inch).
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to debris flow incidents that trapped several vehicles as debris moved rapidly down a hillside in Woodland Hills.
Mudslides have blocked the Palisades Drive and the Topanga Canyon, with reports suggesting that a mudflow took down a truck.
The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles reported moderate rainfall, with forecasters identifying areas at risk of flooding, including Malibu, Chatsworth, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Pacific Palisades, and nearby regions.
Due to hazardous conditions, all four schools in Malibu were closed to protect the safety of students and staff. Officials with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District stated they would monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Malibu Canyon Road was closed between Francisco Ranch Road and Puma Road until 17:00 local time (LT) on Monday, January 27.
Flash Flood Warnings have been issued for burn scar regions, while a Flood Advisory has been issued for Southeastern Los Angeles County from Burbank to eastern Los Angeles County and south to Compton.
Featured image credit: WeatherNation
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FYI — California fires updates for Wednesday, Jan. 29 —
– Firefighters are in the home stretch of taking down three of the major fires in Los Angeles County – Eaton, Hughes and Palisades.
– All three of the major fires from Jan. 2025 are expected to reach 100% containment at any moment.
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By FOX 11 (LA) Digital Team – Published January 29, 2025 5:48am PST
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FYI — California wildfires lose steam but welcomed rain brings different threats —
— EXCERPTS — Much-needed rain helped firefighters make gains on several blazes in Southern California on Monday as flooding shuttered schools, triggered landslides and prompted road closures.
– Intermittent showers began sweeping over Southern California on Saturday and are slated to persist through Monday, bringing a welcomed break from relentlessly dry conditions but also a slew of new dangers, including the potential for toxic runoff in the fire-ravaged region.
– Several landslides were reported Sunday in the Los Angeles area after some locations received around a half inch of rain, said the region’s National Weather Service field office. The mountains in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties picked up several inches of snow making travel “difficult to impossible” in some areas, the weather service said.
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— How much rain has fallen in Southern California?
Below are preliminary, two-day rainfall totals in Southern California, according to the National Weather Service:
– Pine Hills, San Diego County – 1.58 inches
– Panorama Point, San Bernardino County – 1.46 inches
– Sepulveda Canyon, Los Angeles County – 1.45 inches
– Monte Nido, Los Angeles County – 1.10 inches
– Poppet Flat, Riverside County – 1.06 inches
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— Wildfire containment: Here’s where the California blazes stand
– Palisades Fire: 23,448 with 94% containment
– Eaton Fire: 14,021 with 98% containment
– Hughes Fire: 10,425 with 95% containment
– Border 2 Fire: 6,625 with 43% containment
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USA TODAY – Published 6:56 am ET Jan. 27, 2025 | Updated 12:21 pm ET Jan 27, 2025
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