As Southern California prepares for an incoming atmospheric river, many are concerned about debris flows and mudslides.
Matthew Thomas, a research hydrologist with the US Geological Survey, told KNX News that a quarter inch of rain in 15 minutes is a tipping point for mudslides and debris flows.
“It is extremely sensitive to how intense the rainfall is typically over short durations,” he said.
He added that, even though it has been almost a year since the Palisades and Eaton fires, the burn scar areas there are still at risk.
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“The more time that passes, the more opportunities there are for vegetation to regrow and reestablish and for the soils to heal,” he said. “But in this case, we're still within what we would consider a recent burn area within one year. So the hazard potential is still definitely there.”
The longer the storm continues, he said, the greater the flood risk, which causes its own set of problems.
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