Latest news with #MarkPestrella
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
L.A. County remains ‘critically short' on rainfall despite recent storms
It may feel like it rained a lot last year – and it did – but not enough to satisfy L.A. County's critical shortage of rainfall, officials say. A news release issued Tuesday by Water for L.A. County indicates that the county captured nearly 12 billion gallons of stormwater over the past several months. Tuesday was the last official day of the storm season, which begins on Oct. 15 every year. But the 11.9 billion gallons of stormwater received are still not enough. 'While the recent late-winter storms provided a much-needed boost, the region remains far below its typical annual rainfall totals,' Water for L.A. County said. 'Recent storms [boosted] stormwater capture, but the region remains critically short on rainfall.' Watch: Crews rescue stranded hiker 'death gripping' cliff on Southern California trail A 'stark contrast' provided by officials was the fact that the 2023-24 storm season brought 21.2 billion gallons of stormwater to the region, which was enough to meet the water needs of 2.9 million people for an entire year, officials explained. The drop in rainfall highlights L.A. County's water management challenges that are exacerbated by persistent drought conditions; thus, local legislators are looking to improve the system that supplies water to more than 9.7 million residents countywide. 'This year's storm season reminds us how urgent it is to build a more resilient, reliable water system,' said Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who authored the L.A. County Water Plan. 'That's why we are advancing bold, coordinated strategies through our L.A. County Water Plan to capture, store, and manage our local water supply — especially as climate change makes weather patterns more extreme and less predictable.' Included in the plan, which has been adopted by the Board of Supervisors and ten water agencies across the region, targets four key areas: Enhancing regional water supply by improving coordination and leveraging existing resources and infrastructure Improving quality, production and cost-effectiveness of unused groundwater supply treatment through collaborative efforts Ensuring equitable water service for all communities, particularly under-resourced areas Mitigating impact of wildfires on the county's water supply through coordinated land and water management 'Los Angeles County's flood control system is not just a historical achievement. It is a vital and evolving necessity for the safety and well-being of our communities and for safeguarding our local water resources, every single water year,' said L.A. County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, whose agency will continue to increase stormwater capture efforts. 'Its continued maintenance and modernization are paramount in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.' More information about water management in L.A. County can be found by going to Woman in El Sereno critical after hearing gunshot, realizing she's hit The Los Angeles Almanac's rainfall data for downtown L.A. indicates that, since 2019, the city's yearly rain totals have fluctuated greatly. It rained nine more inches in 2019-20 than it did in 2020-21 (14.86 inches compared to 5.82 inches) but increased to 12.18 in 2021-22 and more than doubled the following year (2022-23) to 28.40 inches — the eighth-wettest year in L.A. history and wettest in more than a decade-and-a-half — before falling slightly to 25.19 inches last year. Through March of this year, the City of Angels got 7.87 inches of rain, which is below the normal cumulative rainfall of 13.15 inches by that time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Water At L.A. Beaches In Part Of Malibu Closed Until Further Notice Due To Potentially Toxic Runoff
The ocean water along roughly eight miles of prime Los Angeles coastline remained off-limits indefinitely due to the recent rains and fire debris carried to the coast, while a water quality advisory was in effect all beaches in L.A. county until Thursday morning. The water closure ordered by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health impacts all beaches from Las Flores State Beach in Malibu to Santa Monica State Beach. That stretch of coast, which includes popular surfing beaches like Topanga, was hit especially hard by the Palisades Fire. More from Deadline Celebrities Who Have Lost Their Homes In The Los Angeles Wildfires Newsom's LA Rises Initiative Not Just About Rebuilding Los Angeles, But City's Rebirth & Path Forward For 'The Next 50 Or 100 Years' How To Stream Los Angeles' FireAid Concerts Live On Thursday 'Fire debris runoff and pollutants in the water and on the sand may contain toxic or carcinogenic chemicals,' county health officials said in a statement. 'This includes any runoff that may flow onto or pond on the beach sand. Beach users are advised to stay away from any fire debris on the beach.' Many of the homes lining the beaches in question were burnt to the ground in the blaze. The closure order will be in effect until further notice. Los Angeles Public Works Department chief Mark Pestrella warned on January 17 that the destruction wrought by the fires would pose a danger even after the Santa Anas stopped. 'Properties have been damaged beyond belief. They are full of sediment, debris and hazardous materials,' he said, while assuring that debris removal would be done in conjunction with city of L.A. and the Federal Government, which would first clear away any toxic remnants. But until those toxic remnants and other debris were cleared away, a potentially greater danger, said Pestrella, could be not fire but water from winter rains. Right of Entry forms giving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clear debris of wildfire-destroyed homes became available for affected property yesterday, as Gov. Gavin Newsom said authorities are expediting the debris clearance process to get the rebuilding process moving. The debris removal process is currently in Phase 1, which is the removal of hazardous materials from properties by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the debris areas are safe for people to enter. Once hazardous waste is cleared from properties, the Corps of Engineers or private contractors hired by homeowners will be able to move in and physically remove the debris from properties. Property owners who want the Corps of Engineers to conduct the work — at no cost to the homeowner — must opt in to the program by completing a Right of Entry form. Property owners also have the option of opting out of the program if they plan to hire their own contractor to do the removal work. An Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory will be in effect for all Los Angeles County beaches until 8 a.m. Thursday, due to the rain that fell earlier this week and traditionally carries potentially harmful bacteria to the coast. A separate Water Quality Advisory, however, will remain in effect beyond Thursday due to the potential of fire debris being carried into the ocean. That advisory impacts all beaches in Malibu from Surfrider to Las Flores State Beach and from Santa Monica State Beach to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way in Playa del Rey. The advisory will be in effect indefinitely. The warnings strongly urge people to avoid contact with the ocean water. Best of Deadline How to Watch The 67th Annual Grammy Awards Online And With Cable 'A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms': Everything We Know About The 'Game Of Thrones' Prequel, Including Plot, Premiere Date & Whether George R.R. Martin Is Involved 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Palisades residents who lost their homes can sign up for debris removal
City and federal officials expect the Environmental Protection Agency to begin removal of toxic debris in the Palisades burn area and to allow the remainder of Pacific Palisades residents to visit their properties early this week, they said at a town hall Sunday. As the Palisades transitions into recovery, leaders outlined the next steps in the process for residents who are antsy to begin rebuilding. After the EPA completes "phase one" removal of toxic debris on a property, the homeowner can choose to participate in a free government program coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Homeowners can also choose to contract with a licensed private company and pay for the work out of pocket or try to go through their insurance company. Mark Pestrella, the director of L.A. County Public Works, said the sign-ups for both "phase two" options would begin Tuesday on the county's recovery website. Read more: Palisades fire victims vent frustration as town hall on debris removal becomes a free-for-all Residents who choose the government option will need to give consent for the corps to enter their property, and those who choose the private route will need to submit a permit application. Pestrella said the phase two sign-ups are not first-come first-served. The order of phase two debris removal will depend on terrain, when phase one removal is completed for each property and whether the entire neighborhood has signed up, which allows the corps to work on clusters of homes instead of individual properties. The director noted that residents didn't have to wait for debris to be completely cleared to start the building permit application process with their respective city or county. The federal government is offering affected residents multiple opportunities to receive disaster relief funds. Through former President Biden's Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA offers funds for short-term rentals, emergency short-term lodging, home repairs and home replacements. Residents can apply here. The IRS pushed back the tax filing deadline until Oct. 15 for Los Angeles County taxpayers and announced the federal declaration should allow affected residents to deduct property damage and destruction from their taxes, thanks to the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. Roughly 270 state-chartered banks, credit unions and mortgage lenders have already committed to mortgage relief, said State Assemblymember Jackie Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), who urged residents to check with their mortgage companies. The Small Business Administration also offers disaster assistance loans for California wildfire victims. Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) said federal aid is usually capped at $86,000, with another $10,000 available from the state, although he said he was working in Congress to secure more funds for disaster relief. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
27-01-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
How Palisades residents who lost their homes can sign up for debris removal
City and federal officials expect the Environmental Protection Agency to begin removal of toxic debris in the Palisades burn area and to allow the remainder of Pacific Palisades residents to visit their properties early this week, they said at a town hall Sunday. As the Palisades transitions into recovery, leaders outlined the next steps in the process for residents who are antsy to begin rebuilding. After the EPA completes 'phase one' removal of toxic debris on a property, the homeowner can choose to participate in a free government program coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Homeowners can also choose to contract with a licensed private company and pay for the work out of pocket or try to go through their insurance company. Mark Pestrella, the director of L.A. County Public Works, said the sign-ups for both 'phase two' options would begin Tuesday on the county's recovery website. Residents who choose the government option will need to give consent for the corps to enter their property, and those who choose the private route will need to submit a permit application. Pestrella said the phase two sign-ups are not first-come first-served. The order of phase two debris removal will depend on terrain, when phase one removal is completed for each property and whether the entire neighborhood has signed up, which allows the corps to work on clusters of homes instead of individual properties. The director noted that residents didn't have to wait for debris to be completely cleared to start the building permit application process with their respective city or county. The federal government is offering affected residents multiple opportunities to receive disaster relief funds. Through former President Biden's Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA offers funds for short-term rentals, emergency short-term lodging, home repairs and home replacements. Residents can apply here. The IRS pushed back the tax filing deadline until Oct. 15 for Los Angeles County taxpayers and announced the federal declaration should allow affected residents to deduct property damage and destruction from their taxes, thanks to the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. Roughly 270 state-chartered banks, credit unions and mortgage lenders have already committed to mortgage relief, said State Assemblymember Jackie Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), who urged residents to check with their mortgage companies. The Small Business Administration also offers disaster assistance loans for California wildfire victims. Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) said federal aid is usually capped at $86,000, with another $10,000 available from the state, although he said he was working in Congress to secure more funds for disaster relief.
