The City of Los Angeles is bracing itself for more severe weather, with a focus on swift response after two storms already hit this month, the most recent mobilization is in anticipation of another downpour predicted by the National Weather Service to be most intense from Monday night to Tuesday night, according to an official statement released today, February 19.
With crews having repaired over 4,000 potholes and steps taken to reinforce hills and prevent power outages, the city is in recovery mode while also preparing for the incoming weather, the mayor has directed all city departments to be on alert and reports suggest that emergency operations are geared toward mitigating the risk of mudslides, power outages, and to keep roadways clear, the Emergency Operations Center has been activated to a Level 2 to better coordinate response efforts.
Los Angeles residents can anticipate this multi-departmental operation to include swift-water rescue teams from the Los Angeles Fire Department and urban search and rescue while the Department of Water and Power has so far reported no significant outages, with a water main break in Hollywood soon to be resolved, updated statements by the authorities have been communicated via the city's website.
As the storm system moves in, Angelenos should expect possible road closures such as the temporary shutdown of Mulholland Drive between Skyline Drive and Bowmont Drive and a sinkhole closure at the Northbound 405 Freeway off-ramp for Skirball Center Dr./Mulholland Dr., but traffic officers are deployed across the city to manage the flow and direct drivers away from danger zones, the Department of Transportation is working relentlessly to support these closures and ensure that drivers are safe during this exigent weather period.
The city hasn't neglected its vulnerable populations either, with the Mayor's Office of Housing and Homelessness Solutions procuring additional hotel vouchers to shelter unhoused Angelenos, outreach efforts have focused on flood-prone areas, revealing the extent of the city's mobilization to address the storm's human impact, as detailed in a statement provided by the Mayor's office.
Updates on the storm, including potential road closures and transportation impacts, are being posted regularly, while the 311 service line has extended its hours to handle storm-related inquiries, the city is ensuring that information is accessible and has encouraged residents to download the MyLA311 app for real-time updates.
For further details on recovery resources from the earlier February storm, affected Angelenos can visit the city's emergency recovery webpage, while the Joint Information Center at the Emergency Operations Center remains available for additional queries.
