March 29, 2024
Southern California reels under winter storms
LOS ANGELES--The most powerful of the week's quartet of storms pounded the Southland Thursday, sending mud and debris down steep canyons and flooding roads and highways as dozens of stubborn hillside residents defied evacuation orders to leave their homes.

The last time a storm this big hit Southern California was January 2005.

Despite dire warnings from officials, no homes were destroyed by the mud flows. But with more rain predicted through Friday, officials cautioned residents against complacency and urged them to follow evacuation orders. About a third of the 322 residents asked to evacuate from the foothill areas of Sunland-Tujunga refused to leave.

In the La Canada-Flintridge area, devastated by last year's Station Fire, firefighters and public works crews monitored some of the 28 debris basins already filled with mud, rocks and tree branches.

While the situation in the hillside areas appeared fragile, those in more urban areas took the rain in stride.

Weather forecasters predicted that by the time the storm ends, coastal and Valley areas would see up to 5 inches of rain, while foothills and mountains may see 10 inches. Snow levels were dropping to 4,000 feet. (Source: Los Angeles Daily News)
Story Date: January 22, 2010
Real-Time Traffic
NBC
AQMD AQI
Habitat for Humanity
United Way of the Inland Valleys
Pink Ribbon Thrift