Preparations are underway in Los Angeles County for rain expected this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, there’s a 50% chance of rain in Los Angeles after 10 a.m. Saturday. Forecasters say the rain could go on through Sunday night.
Todd Hall, a meteorologist with the NWS, told KNX News’ Jon Baird that the big concern is thunderstorms.
“It can bring ash and any leftover debris, trees, branches, sticks - anything that is still up in the hills above those fires,” he said.
Captain Erik Scott with the Los Angeles Fire Department told Baird they’re monitoring the weather closely.
“We'll be focusing on the burn areas and specifically hillside homes or cliffside homes in the Palisades area now,” he said.
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a press conference Wednesday morning that the county and the Department of Public Works have been “taking aggressive measures to clear potential hazards ahead of the rainstorms.”
“Yesterday I spoke with the governor and emphasized that for our communities decimated by fires, we must respond with urgency to protect from future disasters,” she said. “The state's support and investment in partnership with the county will be critical to keep residents safe. But when it rains - and again I emphasize it's not a question of if we know it's going to rain - but we have to be prepared. This includes clearing drains and roadways, preparing our debris basins, and taking other critical flood protection measures.”
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Mark Pestrella, the director of L.A. County Public Works, said that crews are working to clear debris from the streets.
“Public Works is also working with the state to coordinate the deployment of K-rail and burn areas,” he said. “This is the devices you see in railways to divert flows.”
The rain comes in the midst of wildfire recovery efforts. As of Wednesday morning, the Palisades Fire was at 68% containment and burned 23,448 acres. The Eaton Fire was at 91% containment and burned 14,021 acres.
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