LOS ANGELES – The City of Los Angeles maintains its emergency response to the effects of this storm and continues to drive recovery efforts from the previous early February storm.
During the two weeks leading up to this storm, the City 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 flooded during the previous storm.
Angelenos should register for NotifyLA for local alerts to stay informed of future storms and incidents. The City's Emergency Management Department will post impact updates here. Significant road closures or transportation impacts will be shown here.
The City’s Joint Information Center at the Emergency Operations Center will demobilize as of noon today. News media can reach out to specific City departments and agencies for information and inquiries, as needed. The Joint Information Center’s phone number will no longer be active. Emergency crews continue to respond to the effects of the storm and potential mud and debris flows, power outages, and roadway obstructions.
Recovery Resources:
The City remains ready to assist with recovery efforts and is coordinating closely with its departments, government partners and nonprofit organizations:
311 is connecting Angelenos to City services to assist with incidents and impacted areas like pothole repairs and other services.
Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) is providing sidewalk repair, driveway damage and repair assistance.
Los Angeles Building and Safety is providing information regarding assistance in obtaining repair work permits.
Los Angeles Department of Sanitation is providing container replacement and bulky item pickups.
Nonprofit organizations are on standby to provide assistance to Angelenos who have been impacted by the storms in February.
For impacts to properties and households, please visit the City’s Emergency Management Department website at emergency.lacity.gov/recovery for assistance. Angelenos should take pictures of property damage and complete a damage assessment survey if they have not yet done so or if there is additional damage to report - Survey in English here and in Spanish here.
The City’s Preparation and Response:
In advance of the storm, LAFD added three additional teams for swift-water rescue, as well as community emergency response teams (CERT), urban search and rescue, heavy equipment operators, tractor companies, helicopter pilots, command staff and 911 dispatchers. The LAFD is resuming normal operations and remains vigilant to any potential new storm related hazards.
As of 8:00 AM on Wednesday, February 21, the City has reported the following operations and calls for service:
159 reports of fallen trees and branches, 82 reports resolved
98 reported flooding incidents including blockages of catch basins/storm drain blockages, 54 reports resolved
63 reports of debris and mudflow, 18 reports resolved
1,725 LADWP customers were experiencing outages as of 8:00 AM. Since Sunday, February 18 at 11:59 PM, 43,449 customers have had their power restored
As of 8:00 AM, LADWP is reporting that 2.691 billion gallons of stormwater has been captured, which would provide water for approximately 33,033 households in the city.
The Mayor has directed all City Departments to actively respond to the effects of this storm:
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has inspection staff prepared to perform assessments of any damages caused by the rain and continues working closely with the Emergency Management Department.
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 potential mudslides. The City has worked with County and State entities to ensure engineers have assessed debris flows affecting public land.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power crews continue to be ready to respond to power outages as needed.
Department of Transportation Traffic Officers have been deployed to support multiple closures and direct drivers away from impacted areas. Drivers are advised to avoid canyon roads which may be subject to sudden and intermittent closures as City crews work on assessment and repairs.
The Los Angeles Police Department is ensuring that calls for service are handled and will provide support for evacuations as needed. Each patrol division is providing checks of critical infrastructure for fire, flooding, and wind damage.
All of Los Angeles World Airports’ on-call personnel are 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.
Los Angeles 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/Swift Water teams for animal-related rescues during heavy rains.
311 call center operating hours on Wednesday are 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. Angelenos are encouraged to download the MyLA311 app.
Los Angeles Public Library branches will operate under normal hours. Angelenos can visit lapl.org/branches for updated hours.
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 Port Pilots, the Marine Exchange of Southern California, and others, to protect vessels if high winds become a factor.
The Bureau of Street Services, also known as StreetsLA, has heavy-duty trucks assisting with downed trees and street blockages.
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) 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.
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 animals, staff, and guests.
LA Recreation and Parks indoor recreation programs, senior centers and pools will operate under normal hours. Angelenos can visit laparks.org for hours of operation.
Power Outages:
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has reported that as of 8:00 AM, Tuesday, 1,725 LADWP customers were experiencing outages. Since Sunday, February 18 at 11:59 PM, 43,449 customers have had their power restored. Crews continue to be ready to respond to power outages as needed.
Saturated soil and wind conditions during storms can increase the likelihood of downed or damaged wires. Never approach or touch any wire that is down or dangling. Always assume downed wires are live and dangerous and immediately report it by calling 911.
Traffic Impacts & Road Closures:
Mulholland Drive remains closed between Skyline Drive and Bowmont Drive with an additional soft closure on Benedict Canyon between Mulholland Drive and Hutton Drive. Soft closures also remain at Mulholland Drive and Coldwater Canyon Drive.
Sepulveda Basin (between Burbank and Havenhurst and Victory Boulevard and Woodley Avenue) are closed due to flooding.
One lane, northbound, on Pacific Coast Highway (south of Porto Marina Way) is closed due to a mudslide.
A stretch of Pacific Coast Highway, between Corral Canyon and Latigo Canyon roads, is closed due to a mudslide. This incident is outside of Los Angeles City limits, but it may impact Angelenos and visitors’ commutes. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) crews were positioned in advance of the storm in areas known to be prone to flooding. Caltrans engineers are assessing the slide.
Valley Circle Boulevard between Woolsey Canyon and Chatlake Drive is closed due to flooding.
Caltrans has closed the Northbound 405 Freeway off-ramp for Skirball Center Drive/Mulholland Drive due to a sinkhole. The City will continue to coordinate closely with Caltrans and partners to respond to impacts while working to make repairs.
LADOT Traffic Officers have been deployed to support closures and direct drivers away from impacted areas. As recovery work continues, drivers are advised to avoid canyon roads which may be subject to sudden and intermittent closures as city crews work on assessment and repairs.a am
Helping the Unhoused:
People experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable during weather emergencies, and the City, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and other County agencies have mobilized shelter and transportation resources. The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Homelessness Solutions added more capacity by increasing the number of hotel vouchers available to help unhoused Angelenos to come indoors during the rain. LAHSA outreach workers began communicating about the storm and 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.
Metro Updates:
Metro is running its regular weekday service and operations continue as normal. For more information, 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.
LAUSD School Updates:
At this time, all schools are open. Los Angeles Unified has engaged in several precautions to ensure the safety of school communities. Please visit LAUSD.org, @LAschools or KLCS-TV for updates, or contact the Family Hotline at 213-443-1300 for additional help.