Evacuation Warnings Issued For Palisades Burn Area As Storm Prep Continues

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — As the region braces for a deluge of rain Thursday that's expected to create mudslides in areas impacted by recent wildfires, officials on Wednesday afternoon issued evacuation warnings around the Palisades Fire burn zone.

Evacuation warnings will be in effect from 7 a.m. Thursday to 2 p.m. Friday due to high mudslide and debris-flow risk, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. That includes:

• in the Palisades Fire area: the Getty Villa area, Highlands near the burn areas, Bienveneda area near Temescal Canyon Park, Reseda Boulevard area/Marinette Road near Will Rogers State Park, and Mandeville Canyon above Tanners Road
• in the Sunset Fire area: east and south of Runyon Canyon
• in the Hurst Fire area: Olive Lane in the Oakridge Mobile Home Park

Additionally, county authorities issued an evacuation warnings across much of Sierra Madre, near the Eaton Fire burn area.

Some homes considered to be at high risk will be subjected to mandatory evacuation orders in the city of Los Angeles. Those residents will be contacted directly by the LAFD, fire officials said.

A detailed map of evacuation zones countywide is available on Genasys Protect.

For the city of Los Angeles, a map is also available from the LAFD.

• Read more: 'Have An Evacuation Plan': When To Expect Heaviest Rainfall

Light rainfall began across much of the Southland Wednesday. The brunt of the storm is expected to hit LA County around mid-afternoon Thursday, about three to six hours earlier than previous predictions.

A Flash Flood Watch was issued by the National Weather Service for the bulk of county for Thursday morning through Thursday evening, with forecasters saying flooding and debris flows are possible, with the greatest risk in or near the Eaton, Palisades/Franklin and Bridge fire burn scars.

Public works crews have been working for days to prepare for the storm — emptying debris basins, clearing storm drains and distributing sandbags to residents.

"Please, if evacuation orders are made, ... keep your safety in mind," Sheriff Robert Luna said. "They help to protect you and your loved ones from potential danger. Storms can bring sudden and severe conditions that make staying back home extremely risky ... Please take necessary steps now to prepare."

Those ordered to leave should expect to be gone for several days, Luna said.

Officials urged to prepare by packing an emergency kit, securing important documents and create plans for family members and pets. More guidance on evacuation prep is available on the LAFD website.

• Read more: Pacific Coast Highway Closed Indefinitely Due To Mudslides

The NWS has described the multi-day storm system as likely to be "the biggest precipitation producer so far this season."

Only about a quarter-inch of rain was expected to fall on Wednesday, but by the time the brunt of the storm exits the area on Friday, roughly 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected in most coastal and valley areas, with 3 to 6 inches anticipated in the foothills and mountains — including the Palisades and Eaton fire areas.

Rainfall rates that exceed a half-inch per hour can lead to mud and debris flows, although factors such as topography, the soil system, geology and the status of the flood control system all contribute to the potential for such occurrences, county Public Works Director Mark Pestrella said.

At the peak of the storm, rainfall rates are expected to be twice that, forecasters said.

The Department of Public Works was distributing free sandbags at the La Costa Post Office, 21229 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, for people in the Palisades Fire area. For those in the Eaton Fire area, the county was offering sandbags at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., and Victory Park, 2575 Paloma St., both in Pasadena.

A full list of locations where sandbags are available on the county's website.

City News Service contributed to this report.