As Los Angeles braces for more inclement weather, a flood watch is now in place, spanning from Sunday afternoon through Monday. Specifically impacted are the areas scarred by recent fires, such as Eaton, Palisades, Franklin, Hughes, and Bridge Burn. Rainfall, starting Saturday and anticipated to continue until Monday, could cause a quarter to a half inch of accumulation, with a slight chance of thunderstorms to boot, according to the LA County Coordinated Joint Information Center.
The Hughes and Eaton blazes are largely contained, with the former at 87% and the latter at 95%. Yet the Eaton Fire has proved devastating, having to obliterate 9,418 structures – the majority being single-family homes. The Palisades Fire, currently 81% contained, has also left a scar on the community, with over 6,000 single residences destroyed, as reported by LA County's update.
Tragically, the fires' human toll is climbing, with 28 confirmed deaths. The LA County Medical Examiner's office, after identifying 18 victims, continues to investigate. A note to the grim statistics reminds us that this figure may rise in the coming days, as search and rescue operations persist.
Local authorities are encouraging media to make use of the imagery detailing the fires' aftermath, available on LA County's Flickr page. For videos capturing the response efforts, they direct to the county's YouTube channel. Those in need of additional footage can reach out to the Coordinated Joint Information Center directly for support. For those seeking further details on the crisis at hand, previous press releases are just a click away on the LA County Recovers website.
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