LOS ANGELES – In advance of the expected rain in the coming days, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced preparedness measures the City has taken and urged Angelenos to take steps now to prepare, stay informed and utilize City resources to stay safe.
Over the past week, the City has worked to repair more than 4,000 potholes, reinforce hills that are at risk of mudslides and prevent power outages by making repairs to underground equipment and vaults that had flooded during the previous storm. City crews are on standby prepared to work through the holiday weekend to ensure Los Angeles is prepared for the coming weather. As the City continues to recover from the recent storm earlier this month, and in light of the predicted rain, Angelenos should be aware of the possibility of increased potholes, additional mudslides and power outages due to saturated grounds.
“We have been working diligently to recover from the storm that hit us earlier this month by covering potholes, protecting saturated land and more. Now, we must remain prepared for the additional rainfall coming to Los Angeles in the coming days,” said Mayor Bass.
Local weather updates provided by the National Weather Service can be found here.
Mayor Bass has mobilized City departments to prepare for the possibility of a storm to ensure the safety of all Angelenos. On Thursday, the Mayor's Office mobilized relevant City Departments including the Department of Water and Power (DWP), the Department of Building and Safety, Public Works Bureaus and more as the City continues to urgently prepare for the incoming rain.
Mayor Bass added, “Our region has seen significant rainfall in recent weeks which puts us at an increased risk of additional mudslides and power outages, so Angelenos, please stay prepared and stay off of the roads during the rain. We know the severe impact that weather can have on our roads and communities, and we are making sure Los Angeles is prepared and informed on behalf of our residents, including the unhoused Angelenos living on our streets, to get through this storm.”
People experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable during weather emergencies, and the City, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and County have mobilized shelter and transportation resources. The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Homelessness Solutions has worked to make more hotel vouchers available than previously planned to encourage unhoused Angelenos to come indoors ahead of the storm. LAHSA outreach workers began offering resources to the most vulnerable areas on Thursday with a particular focus on areas of extreme flooding like the L.A. River and the Sepulveda Basin.
As part of ongoing recovery efforts, the City of Los Angeles opened Local Assistance Centers (LACs) this week for impacted homeowners, renters and business owners. These centers served as a one-stop shop where Angelenos can ask questions and obtain information regarding services and assistance available from government agencies and local nonprofits. More than 100 Angelenos visited the LACs over the past three days.
Angelenos are encouraged to report potholes, mudslides or debris in the street by calling 311 or submiting a request for service with the MyLA311 app. The City will continue to gather information to provide Angelenos with additional assistance as our recovery continues.
How Angelenos Can Prepare:
Angelenos should register for NotifyLA for local alerts regarding this storm. The Los Angeles City Emergency Management Department will post updates here.
Significant road closures or transportation impacts will be shown here.
How Angelenos Can Request Support:
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, Angelenos should call 9-1-1.
For impacts like roadway flooding, tree limbs blocking roads, or mudslides, Angelenos should request service through https://lacity.gov/myla311 or by calling 3-1-1. Angelenos can also download the MyLA311 app.
In the event of power outages or water main breaks, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers can call 1-800-DIAL-DWP or click here. If you see a downed wire, always assume it is live. Never approach or touch any wire that is down or dangling and immediately report it by calling 9-1-1.
How the City of Los Angeles is Preparing For This Storm:
Preparing City Communications To Meet Potential Increased Need:
311 will be extending Sunday and Monday operating hours until 10:00 PM. Operating hours on Tuesday will be 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and may be adjusted as needed. 311 will also be providing public information updates about the storm as it progresses. Calls related to the storm will be tracked.
Preparations Made By The Los Angeles Fire Department:
The Los Angeles Fire Department is fully staffed to respond to potential rainfall impacts. Teams are coordinating and collaborating across the City to define deployment and response, including across city departments to ensure targeted responses.
To help Angelenos prepare for rainstorm needs, the Los Angeles Fire Department provided free ready-to-fill sandbags at all 106 Neighborhood Fire Stations, with sand also available for free at select locations.
The Department is also prepared to respond to lightning strikes related to the storm. The helicopter fleet is available for deployments and rescue. Contingency plans are in place in the event weather conditions do not permit flying.
Preparations Made By The Los Angeles Police Department:
The Los Angeles Police Department is ready to ensure that calls for service are handled and to provide support for evacuations as needed.
Each patrol division will be providing checks of critical infrastructure for fire, flooding, and wind damage.
Steps Taken To Protect High-Risk Areas Due to Saturated Grounds:
Since the last storm, grading assessments on private property were conducted by the Department of Building and Safety, which informed homeowners of precautionary measures to take ahead of the rain to protect their land against the potential of future mudslides. The City has worked with County and State entities to ensure engineers have assessed debris flows starting on public land.
The City is identifying locations that are at high-risk and taking actions to protect them. For example, on Mulholland Drive and in Fryman Canyon Park above Lockridge Road, water flow has been rerouted and temporary mitigation measures like sandbags are being installed in an effort to protect the slopes against potential future mudslides ahead of the incoming storm.
City crews have installed temporary mitigation measures including inserting K-Rails, sandbags and removing debris for more than 50 impacted locations
More than 3,000 cubic yards of mud and debris were removed and more than 200 locations were cleared ahead of the expected rain.
Homeless and Housing Assistance:
The City, County, and LAHSA have activated the Augmented Winter Shelter program to provide shelter for the anticipated severe weather, and the Mayor's Office of Housing and Homelessness worked to make more hotel vouchers than originally planned available to assist unhoused Angelenos access temporary shelter for this weather incident.
LAHSA’s outreach workers will have direct access to offer transportation services and hotel vouchers to meet people where they are and connect them with shelter.
If you or someone you know is experiencing unsheltered homelessness and are seeking shelter, dial 2-1-1 to get assistance to a shelter location closest to you follow the following steps:
Press 4 for English
When prompted, press 3 for Emergency Food or Shelter
When prompted, press 1 for singles / couples without children seeking shelter
Angelenos may also call LAHSA’s Shelter Hotline directly at 1-800-548-6047.
The Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) will continue to operate its hotline (866) 557-7368 during regular business hours Monday through Friday to answer any landlord and tenant questions and will determine if any expanded hours are necessary, depending on storm-related calls.
How Los Angeles Is Preparing To Address Potential Power Outages:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) crews are prepared to respond to any potential power outages. The Department will monitor the storm system closely and respond accordingly, with the ability to schedule crews to be available around the clock. LADWP call centers will also have additional staffing to accommodate any potential increases in call volume during the storm via 1-800-DIAL-DWP.
During the storm, winds could blow down large objects such as trees, or cause branches and palm fronds to strike power lines, which could cause power outages. This is especially true when soil becomes oversaturated by the rain, causing it to loosen and uproot trees. If that occurs, a crew’s first responsibility is to secure the affected area to protect the public from safety hazards posed by downed trees and power lines, followed by the removal of trees entangling LADWP power poles and power lines. Only after this is done can crews begin to conduct repair work and restore power.
LADWP also reminds customers to use caution around any downed or dangling wires or poles. If you see a downed wire, always assume it is live. Do not assume a downed wire is a communication line. Never approach or touch any wire that is down or dangling and immediately report it by calling 9-1-1.
In addition to downed trees, flooding and water intrusion into underground electrical systems may also occur, resulting in power outages. When the affected equipment is underground, crews must go from vault to vault to identify the source of the damage before repairs can take place, which can also take time.
LADWP will regularly share outage information via its newsroom, Twitter (@LADWP) and NextDoor online platforms that inform affected neighborhoods on the status of their outage.
Customers are also encouraged to sign up for outage alerts available in English and Spanish at www.ladwp.com/outages.
What Angelenos Should Do If Their Power Goes Out:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) encourages customers to be prepared for a power outage and to stay safe by following the tips below:
Never touch a downed power line! If you see a downed wire, stay away and call 911.
Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency.
Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand. If your power goes out or there are outages in your neighborhood, you may lose phone service and your cordless “landline” may also lose power. Extra portable cell phone batteries are very helpful in the event of an outage.
If your power goes out:
Report outages online and track crew status at www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
Sign up for outage alerts at www.ladwp.com/outagealert.
Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.
Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold for longer.
Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.
Preparing To Address Road Impacts:
The Bureau of Street Services, also known as StreetsLA, will have personnel on call during off-hours, including the Presidents Day holiday, and has heavy-duty trucks available to assist with downed trees and street blockages.
StreetsLA divisions who will assist with storm response include, but are not limited to, the Street Maintenance Division, which often acts as the Bureau’s first responder, and Urban Forestry Division, which is well-versed in quickly responding to tree emergencies.
StreetsLA personnel are readying various types of equipment and supplies in advance of the rain by proactively collaborating with City departments, including Emergency Management Department (EMD) and other agencies as needed, and having ample sand available at StreetsLA yards across the City.
It is imperative that Angelenos officially request repairs via MyLA311 so the Bureau can receive, inspect, and take appropriate action. Information about how to submit 311 requests is mentioned above.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has activated the following resources to respond to the impacts of the storm:
Emergency electrical repair crews will be on hand to respond to reports of downed traffic signals.
Traffic officers and Special Traffic Operations engineers are ready to respond to road closures and support emergency response efforts.
The Automated Traffic Systems and Coordination (ATSAC) will be monitoring road conditions to maintain safe movement of traffic and reduce congestion in the event of major road and route closures.
LADOT Transit Operations will announce any changes to routes contingent on road conditions.
For updated information on road closures please click here.
Preparing for Local Flooding and Wet Weather:
In accordance with its departmental Wet-Weather Preparedness and Operations Plan, the Water Reclamation Plants, Clean Water Conveyance, and Watershed Protection Divisions of Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) have conducted pre-storm activities, including maximizing plant flows to relieve the sewer conveyance system and have extra staff on standby. Significant rains, as currently predicted, will add substantial flow to our sewer system, our water reclamation plants, and our stormwater system, so LASAN is on alert and ready to address any of these issues.
A Storm Commander of LASAN has been assigned to track the storm and make the necessary preparations. In addition to the Wet-Weather Preparedness and Operations plan, LASAN has a Department Emergency Plan and a Continuity of Operations Plan ready to implement as needed.
Residents are encouraged to report any flooding concerns to myLA311 by calling 3-1-1 or (213) 473-3231, visiting https://myla311.lacity.org, or using the MyLA311 mobile app.
LADWP Water System staff are conducting pre-storm inspections and have activated its Emergency Response Staff, which includes Geotech, Geology, & Reservoir Surveillance, and will be monitoring its in-basin reservoirs. In-basin reservoirs have sufficient capacity to handle increased runoff should localized flooding occur. Northern District Staff in the Eastern Sierra have also taken precautionary measures to protect the L.A. Aqueduct and local areas.
Preparing to Address Potential Building and Safety Issues:
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety will have inspection staff on standby to perform assessments of damages caused by the storm and will work closely with the Los Angeles Emergency Management Department.
The Department of Building and Safety completed 138 site inspections and issued 15 red tags and 47 yellow tags during the most recent storm.
Preparing For Impacts on City-Run Pools and Parks:
In Observance of President's Day, Park recreation centers, pool facilities, childcare centers, golf courses, and Griffith Observatory will be closed.
Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon will be closed during inclement weather to ensure safety of Angelenos.
Programming will be closed in Observance of President's Day.
Recreation and Parks Rangers will be on call to address any public safety issues within parks.
The Forestry Division will be on storm watch and ready to address any fallen trees in the parks system.
The Construction Division will be on call to address any damages associated with the storm. Staff will monitor, report, and document any damages caused by the storm.
The Maintenance Division is mitigating areas that have been identified as high risk of flooding in the parks system and will be on standby.
Pools and recreation centers will be closed on Monday for the holiday but plan to reopen on Tuesday pending weather conditions.
Angelenos can visit the Daily Pool Operations Report for more information.
Child Care Center hours will be updated here, and Senior Center hours will be updated here.
Preparing For Impacts on Public Libraries:
Libraries will operate under normal hours. Angelenos can visit lapl.org/branches for updated hours.
Preparing For Impacts on City-Run Animal Services Facilities:
L.A. Animal Services’ Animal Control Officers and SMART (Specialized Mobile Animal and Rescue Team) are ready to respond to any evacuation or rescue efforts. SMART also works closely with LAFD and Los Angeles County’s Urban Search and Rescue/SwiftWater teams for animal-related rescues during heavy rains.
Public hours for Los Angeles City Animal Services Centers may vary due to weather. Check here for updates.
Pet owners are encouraged to bring outdoor pets indoors and keep pets inside during heavy rainfall. Make sure pets are wearing a City dog license tag with up-to-date identification and are microchipped.
Angelenos who have lost their pets can utilize the Petco Lost Love and the Lost Pet Search on the L.A. Animal Services website.
Please call 1-888-452-7381 to report stray or lost pets.
Preparing For Impacts At The Los Angeles Zoo:
L.A. Zoo animals will have access to their indoor holding areas as necessary to ensure their safety and comfort.
The Zoo will continuously monitor the weather and the conditions on campus to ensure the safety of guests, staff, and animals.
Staff will prioritize additional maintenance for drainage systems and ensure they are clear of debris.
Any adjustments to Zoo operations will be updated in real-time for the public on the Zoo's website at www.lazoo.org.
Preparing For Impacts At Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA):
All of LAWA’s on-call personnel will be available to respond in case of operational impacts.
Passengers are encouraged to confirm their flight’s status before they depart for LAX and to allow for enough time to travel to and from LAX.
Facilities and maintenance staff will be on-site and monitoring for leaks and checking storm drains to ensure there is no backup.
Los Angeles Airport Police will monitor roadway conditions within the Central Terminal Area and LAWA facilities.
The Federal Aviation Administration may make any determination of ground stops in case of wind or visibility issues.
If there are major delays or cancellations, LAWA will communicate with the media and the traveling public through social channels @flyLAXairport.
As always, airlines are responsible for communicating with their passengers on delays or cancellations. LAWA encourages passengers to check the status of their flights with their airlines first.
LAWA will have guest services on-site as needed to help passengers who may need assistance if their flight is canceled.
Preparing For Impacts At The Port of Los Angeles:
Port of Los Angeles officials have been in contact with marine terminals and local stakeholders to make sure they are aware of, and prepared for, storm conditions.
Long-established protocols are in place with Los Angeles Port Pilots, the Marine Exchange of Southern California, and others to protect vessels if high winds become a factor.
Los Angeles Port Police are prepared to work closely with Port tenants, the U.S. Coast Guard L.A.-Long Beach sector, and other local law enforcement, maritime fire, and emergency management agency partners in maintaining a readiness posture to respond to a climate emergency.
Preparing for Impacts at Los Angeles Unified Schools:
- Los Angeles Unified teams from across the District have been planning and preparing for this inclement weather system. Schools are equipped with emergency preparedness plans should campuses experience leaks, flooding or wind damage. The District is also prepared with alternate plans for impacted areas.
- The City of Los Angeles will be in direct contact with families if schools are affected, and the Los Angeles Unified parent hotline at 213.443.1300 is available for families who may have questions or need additional support. Follow @LAUSDSup on social media for up to date information.