LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City and County leaders addressed the City’s storm response from Fire Station 108 in Beverly Crest, one of the most impacted regions of the city, urging Angelenos to continue staying off the roads and utilizing City services as Los Angeles prepares for additional rain this evening and into tomorrow. Emergency crews continue responding to multiple reports of mud and debris flows, power outages, fallen trees, roadway flooding, and other obstructions in the roadway. Watch this evening's press conference here, which includes remarks from President Joe Biden.
“Our first responders have been actively responding to this historic storm since yesterday afternoon,” said Mayor Bass. “I have spent time with our Fire Chief meeting with Angelenos impacted by the storm. The City has lept into action to protect our most vulnerable Angelenos and we will continue to work around the clock to help those in need throughout this storm. ”
This afternoon, Mayor Bass and LAFD Chief Crowley surveyed damage in Encino, Studio City and Baldwin Hills. She was joined by Council President Pro Tem Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilmember Nithya Raman and Councilmember Heather Hutt.
Local weather updates provided by the National Weather Service can be found here. Visit emergency.lacity.gov/updates for up-to-date information.
Here is the latest information regarding storm impacts and the City’s response:
Flooding:
The LAFD added additional teams for swift water rescue, community emergency response (CERT), urban search and rescue, hand crews, tractor companies, helicopter pilots, command staff, and 9-1-1 dispatchers to assist the 1,000 firefighters already on duty. The LAFD will continue to maintain an augmented resource deployment until the storm passes.
Mud & Debris Flows:
City agencies are responding to numerous reports of mudslides and debris flows particularly along canyon roads north of Sunset Blvd and south of Mulholland Drive. Commuters are advised to avoid driving on canyon roads.
Reported impacts as of 4:15 PM, February 5:
307 mudslides
35 incidents of buildings requiring inspection due to mudslides and slope failures
5 buildings have been red tagged (no entry)
7 buildings yellow tagged (possession collection only)
Evacuations:
An evacuation order remains in effect for La Tuna Canyon Road, roughly within the area bounded by Horse Haven St. to the North, Martindale Ave. to the East, Penrose St. to the South and Ledge Ave. to the West. The area is subject to increased risk of significant flooding, mudslides, and sediment flow because of the burn scars left by the Land Fire that occurred in 2022.
Limited road closures are currently in effect in the evacuation area:
Eastbound soft closure (Resident ONLY Access) at La Tuna Canyon Rd & Sunland Blvd.
Eastbound hard closure (NO ACCESS) at La Tuna Canyon Rd & Ledge Ave.
Westbound soft closure (Resident ONLY Access) at La Tuna Canyon Rd & Honolulu Ave.
Westbound hard closure at La Tuna Canyon Rd & 210 fwy. (ONLY Freeway access allowed)
Emergency temporary evacuation and shelters have been activated at the following locations to support evacuees seeking shelter:
Stonehurst Recreation Center
9901 Dronfield Ave., Sunland, CA 91352
Large animals in the area can be evacuated to the following locations:
Hansen Dam Horse Park
11127 Orcas Ave. Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
LA Equestrian Center
480 Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91506
On Saturday, the Emergency Management Department issued a wireless emergency alert targeting those in the affected area to prepare for the evacuation, directing them to LAFD.org/news for the latest updates on the evacuation. The Emergency Management Department also made phone calls to residents in the evacuation area. Yesterday, Los Angeles Police Department officers with Operation Valley Bureau visited 50 locations in person to notify residents of the order to evacuate.
An emergency evacuation was required late this afternoon for a tiny home complex in the San Fernando Valley. A response was quickly mobilized to evacuate more than 100 people to nearby vacant shelters with support from LAHSA, Volunteers of America, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and Metro.
Power Outages:
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has reported that as of 5:00 PM, approximately 9,273 customers remain without power, while 26,310 have had their power restored. Storms also increase the likelihood of downed or damaged wires. Never approach or touch any wire that is down or dangling and immediately report it by calling 9-1-1.
Public Works Storm Response:
Since yesterday, bureaus with the Department of Public Works have reported the following operations and calls for service as of 4:00 pm.
257 fallen trees and branches
159 reports of potholes
875 catch basins and stormwater conveyance systems cleared
Augmented Winter Shelter Operations:
The City, County and Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) activated 6 additional shelters for people experiencing homelessness, in addition to the 7 previously established winter shelters.
Shelter space is available at:
Duarte
Pamela Park
2236 Goodall Ave, Duarte, 91010 - (949) 312-8961
If in need of transportation, consider saving time by requesting through 211LA.org. Angelenos can also call 2-1-1. The City has also authorized additional hotel vouchers.
Traffic Impacts & Road Closures:
Since 10 am on Sunday, LAPD has reported a total of 251 traffic calls with 104 requiring medical response. Zero traffic fatalities have been reported.
Mulholland Drive is closed between Skyline Drive and Bowmont Drive. Drivers are advised to avoid canyon roads:
The highest likelihood of mud and debris flows is on hillsides and canyons which can lead to impassable roads.
The City is responding to multiple reports along residential and arterial streets near Laurel Canyon, Coldwater Canyon, Benedict Canyon and Beverly Glen.
Drivers are advised to avoid these areas which are at heightened risk of mudslides and sudden closures.
Sepulveda Basin road closures due to flooding:
Burbank Blvd is closed between the 405 Fwy and Balboa Blvd
Woodley Ave is closed between Burbank and Victory
La Tuna Canyon Rd evacuation area road closures:
Eastbound soft closure (Resident ONLY Access) at La Tuna Canyon Rd & Sunland Blvd.
Eastbound hard closure (NO ACCESS) at La Tuna Canyon Rd & Ledge Ave.
Westbound soft closure (Resident ONLY Access) at La Tuna Canyon Rd & Honolulu Ave.
Westbound hard closure at La Tuna Canyon Rd & 210 fwy. (ONLY Freeway access allowed)
Additional closures due to flooding:
I-5 Fwy S to 110 South Interchange is closed
Benedict Canyon Dr between Hillgrove Dr. and Hutton Dr.
Sunset Blvd closed between Chautauqua to Will Rogers
Beverly Glen Blvd closed between Sunset Blvd and Mulholland Dr.
Camino de la Cumbre closed between Glorietta & Valley Vista
Oro Vista Ave is closed North of Big Tujunga Canyon Rd.
LA Zoo:
Out of an abundance of caution, the Zoo will remain closed on Tuesday, February 6.
Any additional adjustments to Zoo operations will be updated in real time for the public on the Zoo's website.
School Impacts:
All schools – with the exception of Vinedale College Preparatory Academy and Topanga Elementary Charter School – will remain open. (Vinedale students should continue to report to Glenwood Elementary School at 8001 Ledge Avenue, Sun Valley, 91352 and Topanga students should continue to report to Woodland Hills Academy at 20800 Burbank Blvd, Woodland Hills, 91367.)
Please stay tuned for updates on LAUSD.org, on social media @LASchools, on KLCS-TV. If families and students need additional help, please contact our Family Hotline at (213) 443-1300
Metro Updates:
LA Metro continues to provide its vital service during this storm. The agency is reporting minor delays and bus detours due to localized street flooding, but has quickly recovered from any challenges thanks to extensive pre-storm preparation.
Please check Metro’s X social media channel for real-time updates on service. People are also invited to call 323.GO.METRO (323.466.3876) for more information.
The Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center has been activated to a Level 2 since 8:00 AM on Sunday, February 4 to respond to the severe weather event currently impacting Los Angeles and surrounding areas. A Level 2 activation is a strongly enhanced level of operation in which every necessary agency staffs the Emergency Operations Center around the clock.