The Rain That Follows Wildfires
Are you prepared to protect your home and family from debris flows and flooding?
There are multiple dangers related to rain following a wildfire. The immediate risk is from mud and debris flow, as well as flooding. The secondary challenge is the risk of hazardous materials left behind from the fire being washed into the sewer system and the Pacific Ocean. If rain causes debris to flow into the ocean, it can have a devestating impact on the area’s ecosystem. If the rainfall is significant, it may result in flooding. A lot of water, falling in such a short period of time, may have no place to go – certainly not into the ground as is typical from a “normal” single rainstorm.
Why is this dangerous?
How to prepare:
Given the region’s high susceptibility to fire-related disasters, residents of Los Angeles are urged to take proactive measures to prepare for wildfires. Individuals are encouraged to enroll in emergency alert systems—NotifyLA for city residents and Alert LA County for those living in unincorporated areas and other parts of the county—to receive crucial updates concerning evacuation orders and fire activity.
Preparing sandbags is essential, particularly for those vulnerable to flooding or near burn scars. Heavy rainfall following a wildfire can result in catastrophic mudslides. Sandbags are generally accessible at fire stations throughout the county, though availability may vary; thus, it is advisable to inquire with local stations in advance.
Lastly, residents must consider ongoing rain following a wildfire a potential hazard, as burned regions are at an increased risk for flash flooding and debris flows. Vigilantly monitoring weather reports and adhering to emergency alerts during rainfall events is crucial for ensuring personal safety and minimizing property damage.
Do you have a plan?
MySafe:LA has for more than a decade advocated for every family and person living in Los Angeles to make a plan. What does a plan include?
- family phone numbers (yes, separate from your contact list in your phone)
- Medical phone numbers - doctors, pharmacist, etc.
- Family food supplies (including for small children, etc.)
- Family pet supplies, including food, pet toys, blanket, transport crate
- Smartphone batteries (external USB chargers)
- Supplies for those with special needs (mobility, vision, hearing, etc.)
- Evacuation options (where will you go?)
- A full tank of gas in your vehicle
- Proper rain protection (boots, raincoat, umbrella, etc.)
Is your emergency kit ready?
Every family should have at least one emergency kit. You may have created one based on readiness for earthquakes. This storm is a good time to check it out, update it if required, and have it at the ready. Key components include:
- Energy bars or similar long-lasting food
- At least three gallons of water per person
- A week’s worth of any medications you may take
- Pet food
- Phone chargers
- Flashlights
- Duct tape
- Gloves
- Whistles
- Face masks (N-95 if possible)
- A paper map of your area
- A first aid kit
- A hand-crank NOAA radio (if there is no power)
Some of the additional things you may wish to consider (the list can get long) include:
- Canned and packaged foods
- Fire extinguisher
- Hard-soled shoes
- Extra glasses/ contact lenses
- Hand-crank NOAA radio
- Batteries for flashlights
- Hard hat or helmet
- Goggles
- Wrench (for managing utility shut off valves)
- Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags (for waste, rain ponchos, etc.)
- Blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Extra clothing for a variety of weather
- Portable cooking appliance, such as a propane camp stove
- Utensils
- Hand operated can opener
- Copies of important documents, such as passports, driver’s licenses, insurance policies
- Diapers, formula and medication for small children
Prepare Your Home
If you live in a home, or are on the ground floor of a multi-occupancy building (a duplex or an apartment building), there are some steps to consider relative to flooding. The most basic and useful tips are these:
- Clear your gutters - remove debris
- Check storm drains and make certain they are clear
- Make sure drains are not covered and are available for pooling water
- Bring umbrellas, cushions, and plastic furniture indoors
Clogged gutters are an invitation for pooling water and damage to your home. Understand how to take steps to ensure there’s a path for water to be diverted from your roof and home. This video will be helpful to anyone interested in making their home safer from flooding:
Once the steps above have been completed, the following steps are of equal importance:
- Tie down wood furniture if possible
- Secure trash cans or put them in a garage, if possible
- Move valuable items to a 2nd floor, if possible
- Protect access points with sandbags (all 106 LAFD fire stations have sandbags)
Sandbags are a very useful method of protecting your home from flood damage via debris flows. However, many people don’t know how to use them. Here are some tips that may prove useful.
Stay Connected
Most major broadcasters have back-up power and related capabilities that will allow them to continue operating, even in a significant storm. It’s important for you to stay connected so you can get up-to-the-minute information, if required. Good local options include:
KNXT Radio – 97.1 FM
KTLA Local TV – https://ktla.com/
During the Storm
For most people, simply staying inside is the best advice. If there are no evacuation orders, then we suggest staying at home. Don’t venture out unless it’s absolutely necessary. Other things to consider during the storm include:
If you need to leave the house
Make certain your vehicle is filled with fuel. Bring some water, a phone charger, and a first aid kit. It’s also worthwhile to put a blanket in the car, in case you become stranded.
Avoid flooded streets
Vehicles can be “washed away” in just two feet of water – and six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet. People often think they can “drive through” what they think are shallow rivers of water. Don’t do it. We’ve all seen the pictures on TV and the videos on YouTube. Even if you have a “honking” SUV, two feet of water can turn it into a runaway boat.
If water enters your home
In the event your home begins to flood, go up to the 2nd floor if you have one. If you need to get on the roof, do that. Don’t go into the flood zone around your home unless you have no other option.
Be safe at home
Don’t bring a BBQ into your home. Don’t bring gasoline powered devices into the home. If you use any gas devices, make certain there is adequate ventilation (in the garage, for example). Don’t use flame driven candles.
After the Storm
When the storm passes, the dangers are not gone – they’re different. The first thing to do is to ensure all of your family members (including pets) are accounted for. There are other things to consider in Los Angeles as well.
Is your home damaged?
Check the exterior of your home for damage. If there are fallen trees, or flood waters, take photographs, but don’t try to “fix” the problem when you see it. If you need to report damage, use the city’s 311 line, not the emergency line 911.
Let people know you’re okay
You may wish to mark yourself “okay” if you have a Facebook account. More importantly, this is a good time to check in with family members, especially those who live out of the area. Use texting if possible, as mobile service may be impacted.
Stay away from downed power lines
And stay away from any pooled water around power lines, as electricity loves to travel through water.
Avoid the local beaches
The sunsets may be amazing. The surf may look spectacular. But don’t do it. The ocean is likely going to be contaminated for at least a few days following a storm.
Refill used items in your emergency kit
Your emergency kit is designed for use when in the midst of a pending natural disaster like a tropical storm. When the storm passes, make certain you refill your kit with anything you’ve used. It’s also a good time to evaluate if anything is nearing an expiration date (water is typically good for up to five years, as one example).
What is the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon?
The terms “hurricane” and “typhoon” are regional names for tropical cyclones. All tropical cyclones are alike in that they draw heat from warm water at the ocean’s surface to power horizontal, rotating wind. Although similar in size, tropical cyclones have a different energy source than synoptic cyclones, which are storm systems that draw their energy from weather fronts and jet streams.
Over the Atlantic and East Pacific, tropical cyclones are commonly called “hurricanes.” The common term is “typhoon” for a tropical cyclone that forms in the West Pacific. Tropical cyclones are called just “cyclones” in the Indian Ocean and near Australia.
Additional Resources
If you need additional information, check these websites:
