Over the weekend, Long Beach residents found themselves amidst an unexpected aquatic landscape as streets succumbed to floodwaters. The deluge, spawned by a mid-November storm, transformed thoroughfares into impromptu channels where some locals, seizing the moment, took to kayaking in their neighborhoods. As reported by NBC Los Angeles, young cousins Lazlow and Layla Acuna were spotted navigating their flooded street aboard a kayak, an unusual sight indeed.
In a testament to the storm’s intensity, ABC7 captured footage of the residential canals, former streets where residents, like Tim Morrisse and his dog, waded through murky waters. Morrisse expressed his concern, stating, "The water just started coming up really fast." Such scenes underscore the suddenness with which nature can assert its might, leaving communities to grapple with the aftermath.
According to NBC Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County area saw more than 4 inches of rain in certain locations over 48 hours, leading to deluged neighborhood landscapes. Residents like Daniel Acuna, father of one of the youthful kayakers, saw the waters rise inch by inch, surpassing porch levels and inciting a blend of thrill and apprehension.
Despite the havoc, emergency services responded swiftly, with firefighters distributing sandbags and employing pumps to abate the flooding. Anastasia Palmondon, a local, appreciated the quick action, stating to NBC Los Angeles, "It was coming up on the sidewalks. Everyone was putting on their rainboots to go out and chat with all the neighbors, so we’re just glad that it was taken care of and we can leave our streets now." Meanwhile, the city acknowledged the failure of some storm drain pumps, unable to contend with the relentless rainwater.
Looking ahead, residents remain wary with forecasts indicating further precipitation. Some have fortified their homes with sandbags in anticipation. The city of Long Beach and its Public Works Department are reportedly addressing the situation, per ABC7, including a power outage that had taken L.A. County-operated pumps offline during the flooding. Efforts to reduce future impact are ongoing, with the community bracing for what nature may pour forth next.
