LA County officials will provide an update on debris removal, extension of relief grants
A week after Phase 1 of the debris removal process was completed, Los Angeles County officials will be providing an update Wednesday morning about the progress of Phase 2.
At a news conference, officials will also provide information regarding weather preparedness regarding the upcoming rainstorms that will increase the potential of thunderstorms and debris flow in the Eaton and Palisades fire areas.
To prepare for the upcoming weather event, Sierra Madre city leaders have issued an evacuation warning in anticipation of debris flow and unsafe conditions.
Last week, LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger announced the launch of the Household Relief Grant. According to a press release, officials will be providing an update about the extension of application deadlines for the grants.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
Eaton Fire 5 months later: A look at the progress that has been made
LOS ANGELES - It's been nearly five months since the Eaton Fire erupted in Altadena, burning 14,021 acres and killing 18. The fire, which erupted Jan. 7, destroyed over 9,000 structures and damaged another thousand. Nearing the five-month anniversary, Los Angeles County officials are highlighting the progress and work that has been done to rebuild the community. What they're saying According to Supervisor Kathryn Barger, over 5,000 (88%) of fire-damaged properties have been cleared of debris by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Of those 5,000 properties, 3,440 sites (60%) received final sign-off and returned to the county for follow-up. Barger says the Corps currently has 81 active debris removal crews operating in the area, clearing roughly 57 properties per day. To date, they have removed over 1.3 million tons of debris. "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is demonstrating exceptional speed, efficacy, and dedication in their debris removal mission in Altadena. Their tireless work is helping our community heal and rebuild faster than many thought possible. I wholeheartedly appreciate their commitment and am proud to work alongside them as we support Altadena's road to recovery," Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. In terms of parks and community spaces, Charles White Park is fully cleared, the Eaton Canyon Nature Center is 95% cleared, and Farnsworth Park is halfway complete. Barger said all parks are projected to be fully cleared of debris within two weeks. Work is also underway to clear debris at the Altadena Senior Center, The Bunny Museum, and Lifeline Church. Barger said some of these properties are in various stages of clearance, with some already completed and others pending final contract approvals. Loma Alta Park became the first public park to reopen after the fire. Altadena had a grand re-opening celebration for Loma Alta Park on Saturday, May 10. According to the county, property owners who have fire debris on their property and have opted out of the government-sponsored debris removal program must hire a contractor to complete the work. Those who opted out or did not submit a Right of Entry (ROE) form must now obtain a Fire Debris Removal (FDR) permit and hire a licensed contractor by June 1. PREVIOUS COVERAGE:Eaton Fire survivors struggling with housing, essential supplies 3 months after wildfire County officials say if a permit is not obtained by the June 1 deadline, the property may be declared a Public Nuisance. The Source Information for this story came from the office of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
Tornado Strikes Los Angeles County Neighborhood During Winter Storm
A tornado touched down in a Los Angeles County neighborhood early Thursday morning, a rare event in Southern California. With 85 mph winds, the Oxnard tornado knocked down trees and damaged homes and cars in Pico Rivera at around 3:15 a.m. There were no casualties and the EF0 tornado lasted only about two minutes, according to the National Weather Service. 'This was a small, weak, and brief tornado, which uprooted a few trees, downed numerous large tree branches, and damaged roofs. In some cases, trees fell on residences and vehicles causing additional damage,' the NWS said in a report. The Oxnard tornado, which had a path 1 mile in length and 80 yards across, appeared as a powerful storm made its way across Southern California. Tornadoes are classified into 6 categories on the Enhanced Fujita Scale: EF0 (65 to 85 mph), EF1 (86 to 110 mph), EF2 (111 to 135 mph), EF3 (136 to 165 mph), EF4 (166 to 200 mph) and EF5 (greater than 200 mph). The Oxnard tornado was at the high end of the EF0 category at 85 mph. Tornadoes are not commonplace in California, but they are not unheard of. The most recent in Los Angeles County happened in March 2023. An EF1 level tornado touched down in Montebello for two to three minutes and had a path about 50 yards wide and about 0.42 miles long, making it the strongest tornado to hit the region in 40 years. One person was injured. The day prior to the Montebello tornado, a smaller one hit Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County. One person was also injured. 'The L.A. basin area tends to be a magnet for tornadoes for this time of year,' Ryan Kittell, who is a meteorologist with the NWS Los Angeles office, said, according to The New York Times. 'I'd say March is a favorable month for them in this area.' Aside from the tornado, this week's winter storm brought heavy snow to the San Bernardino Mountains and strong gusts of wind and rainfalls. It also caused flooding in areas like Santa Barbara County and Orange County. Last month, a storm also threatened the region after an onslaught of wildfires in January that forced many residents out of their homes. Scorched areas are at an increased risk for mudslides and debris flow. 'Fire-impacted communities need to be on alert,' Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said on Wednesday. 'The risk of mudflow and landslides is real. Play it safe and be prepared.' Californians are not out of the woods just yet, NWS warns. 'We are still looking at the potential for showers and storms to be capable of producing strong gusty winds, small hail and even at times they couldn't rule out a couple of funnel clouds and maybe even another small, brief, weak tornado,' NWS Meteorologist Dr. Ariel Cohen said during a Thursday news conference. NWS said later on Thursday that some storms scattered across the southern California area 'are strengthening and could become severe.' This could lead to another tornado, as well as strong winds, rain or hail. 'If the weather looks ominous, or you hear thunder, be safe and GO INDOORS,' NWS warned. Southern Californians can look forward to dryer and warmer weather after Friday. Meteorologist Has Intense Real-Time Reaction As Tornado Strikes Studio Live On Air Powerful U.S. Storms Create Blizzard Conditions, Threaten To Spawn More Tornadoes Storms Across U.S. Bring Heavy Snow, Dangerous Ice And A Tornado In California
CNN
13-03-2025
- CNN
Powerful storm prompts evacuations in California, threatens outbreak of tornadoes and wildfires across US this week
A powerful storm is dropping drenching rain on flood-prone Southern California and heavy snow on the state's mountains. It's the first act of a storm that will unleash a severe thunderstorm outbreak, dangerous fire conditions and a blizzard as it crosses the entire United States in the coming days. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings early Thursday morning for parts of Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties still recovering from devastating wildfires. Emergency management officials in Santa Barbara, just north of Los Angeles, ordered residents in and around the Lake Fire burn scar to shelter in place starting Wednesday night, as 'flash flooding and debris flows may be imminent or occurring.' 'Residents are advised to stay inside and go to the innermost room in your home or to higher ground such as a second floor until further notice. DO NOT attempt to leave,' the county Office of Emergency Management warned. The ongoing warnings for California came alongside a rare increase Thursday in the level of severe thunderstorm risk this storm will bring to the central and eastern US Friday and Saturday. Forecasters are increasingly concerned those regions will see a dangerous severe thunderstorm outbreak capable of multiple strong tornadoes. As the storm arrived in the West on Wednesday, evacuation warnings urging people to prepare to leave at a moment's notice were issued for parts of Los Angeles County, while authorities ordered hundreds of residents in more vulnerable areas to evacuate ahead of the rain. 'The risk of mudflow and landslides is real,' Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a news conference. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services said Wednesday it has positioned rescue personnel and equipment in 11 counties where heavy impact from the storm is expected, including Los Angeles County. In the Sierra Nevada, heavy snow brought travel to a standstill along part of Interstate 80 Wednesday night. Multiple crashes occurred in the snow along the eastbound portion of the roadway according to the California Highway Patrol. Rain will continue Thursday with more than 20 million people across Southern California under flood watches until the afternoon, with a level 2 or 4 risk of flooding rainfall, according to the Weather Prediction Center. The storm will track into the Rockies Thursday with additional rain, snow and winds. Winter weather alerts are in place across the highest parts of Nevada, Arizona and Utah, where snow could pile up to 2 feet. Gusts up to 50 mph across the West could make travel difficult and cause power outages. Gusty winds will also impact the Plains and ramp up a widespread fire threat, especially from the late afternoon onward. More than 800 miles of the central US, from western Texas into South Dakota, are under a level 2 of 3 fire weather risk, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Any spark could turn into a wind-driven blaze in these conditions. The fire risk will climb higher Friday in tandem with extremely strong winds. 'Significant, dangerous wildfire-spread conditions' are expected, and a wildfire outbreak is possible across parts of the Southern Plains, according to the center. Those winds could gust up to 90 mph at times in parts of New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma Friday, and also cause power outages and hazardous travel conditions, according to the Weather Prediction Center. The storm will strengthen Friday in the central US and become unusually strong for March just before it tracks into an area where atmospheric conditions are primed to set off dangerous severe weather. Severe thunderstorms will roar to life by the late afternoon in the Mississippi Valley, become more ferocious and pound potentially more than 900 miles of the region – from Louisiana to Minnesota – through the overnight hours. A level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place for parts of the region – including St. Louis – Friday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Damaging winds will be widespread, with some storms producing gusts past 75 mph – on par with a Category 1 hurricane – within the level 3 and 4 risk areas. Tornadoes and hail are also possible within any storm. Some of the strongest storms will be active after dark, adding another layer of danger: Nighttime tornadoes are nearly twice as likely to be deadly as those occurring during the day, a 2022 study found. 'All are encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans before Friday evening,' the National Weather Service in Central Illinois urged Thursday. 'Consider discussing the forecast with family/friends so they are aware in advance.' Saturday poses another serious threat for dangerous thunderstorms and will see an increased threat of tornadoes, with the Storm Prediction Center pinpointing the South as the area of greatest concern for 'significant tornadoes, swaths of damaging (wind) gusts and hail.' A level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place Saturday for parts of Louisiana – including New Orleans – Mississippi, Alabama and the extreme western Florida Panhandle. Severe thunderstorms could be ongoing early Saturday morning after Friday's activity, but the riskiest thunderstorms will intensify or develop by the afternoon in the South. Storms packing damaging wind gusts, tornadoes and hail will once again persist through the evening and overnight. Setting the second-highest level of risk this far in advance is rare, and happens only when forecasters have great confidence that the ingredients for severe storms will be present. Over the past 15 years, level 4 risks issued three days in advance have resulted in an average of 90 tornado reports on the day of concern. Similar instances in the past include the 2011 Super Outbreak centered in Alabama that killed more than 300 and was the costliest tornado outbreak on record. Another was the Easter Sunday Outbreak in 2020 that produced around 150 tornadoes and killed 35 people. This story has been updated with additional information. CNN's Robert Shackelford, Brandon Miller, Allison Chinchar and Kia Fatahi contributed to this report.
