LOS ANGELES – The City of Los Angeles continues its urgent response to the effects of the second storm this month and drive recovery efforts from the early February storms. The Emergency Operations Center is activated to a Level 2 to monitor the impacts and coordinate the resources needed to respond to the new storm system moving into Los Angeles. Emergency crews remain ready to respond to the effects of the storm and potential of mud and debris flows, power outages and roadway obstructions.
The next update is expected Monday at 6:00 PM via a paper release.
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.
The National Weather Service reports that the heaviest period of rainfall will occur Monday night through Tuesday night. Angelenos should register for NotifyLA for local alerts regarding this storm. The City's Emergency Management Department will post impact updates here. Significant road closures or transportation impacts will be shown here.
The City’s Preparation and Response
In advance of the storm, LAFD added additional teams for swift-water rescue, community emergency response (CERT), urban search and rescue, tractor companies, helicopter pilots, command staff, and 9-1-1 dispatchers.
As of 6:00 AM on Monday, February 19, the City has reported the following operations and calls for service:
3 reports of fallen trees and branches
4 reports of mudslides
LADWP is reporting no significant outages at this time.
The Mayor has directed all City Departments to actively respond to the effects of this storm:
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 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 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.
On Monday morning, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported no significant power outages.
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 to 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 will be extending 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. 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 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.
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.
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.
Power Outages:
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has reported that as of 8:00 AM. Monday, there are no significant outages.
There is currently one water main break in Hollywood impacting 20 customers. The Department expects for the water main break to be resolved by noon today, Monday, February 19.
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 9-1-1.
Traffic Impacts & Road Closures:
Mulholland Drive is closed between Skyline Drive and Bowmont Drive with an additional soft closure on Mullholand Dr. and Benedict Canyon Drive:
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.
Caltrans has closed the Northbound 405 Freeway off-ramp for Skirball Center Dr./Mulholland Dr. due to a sinkhole.
Additional roadway closures due to flooding or debris:
I-5 FWY South transition to the 110 South
2nd Street between Vignes Street and Garey Street
A “soft closure" exists for Benedict Canyon Drive – between Mulholland Drive and Hutton Drive. Access is limited to local residents.
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 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 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.
Resources For Impacted Angelenos:
For more information on additional recovery resources from the early February storm, please visit emergency.lacity.gov/recovery.
To contact the Joint Information Center at the Emergency Operations Center, please call (213) 484-4855.