Evacuation Warnings and Evacuation Orders in Specific Areas Within Burn Areas Issued
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass today announced City preparations ahead of heavy rains beginning Wednesday night and lasting until Friday morning. Mayor Bass encourages residents to remain vigilant, especially in previously burned areas, while the City has prepared with concrete barriers to stem mudflows, prepositioning of Fire Department search and rescue teams, and LADWP crews on standby to respond to power outages.
Evacuation Warnings and Evacuation Orders within burn scar areas have been issued and have gone into effect as of Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00 AM. The Emergency Operations Center has been activated to a Level 2.
“While we prepare for another storm headed towards L.A., I want to urge Angelenos to stay vigilant, especially in burn scar areas” said Mayor Karen Bass. “My number one job is to keep Angelenos safe, so please heed all evacuation warnings, stay vigilant and stay informed.”
Caltrans will be closing a segment of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to residents and businesses in burn scar areas beginning Wednesday, March 12 at 12:00 PM. Only emergency vehicles and US Army Corps of Engineers’ debris-hauling contractors will be allowed through the closure. Residents with homes in the burn scar area should consider alternate routes in the afternoon hours or consider teleworking if possible.
A Flood Watch has been issued City-wide and will be in effect from Wednesday, March 12 at 6:00 PM, to Thursday, March 13 at 6:00 PM. Specific addresses identified as “Vulnerable Properties with Safety Risk” have been placed under evacuation orders.
Evacuation Warnings and Selected Orders in Areas Inside Burn Zones:
Evacuation Warnings and selected Evacuation Orders for some areas inside burn zones are in effect due to high mudslide and debris flow risk.
Warning and Order locations are within the Palisades, Mandeville Canyon, Sunset and Hurst burn scar areas. Details can be found on the map at this link.
Wireless Emergency Alerts have been sent to targeted areas in and around where the Evacuation Warnings and Orders will be in effect as they are especially susceptible to heavy rain.
Houses in the warning area with high risk have been visited by LAPD officers who will issue specific evacuation orders.
How Angelenos Can Prepare:
Angelenos should register for NotifyLA for alerts.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation will make any announcements involving significant road closures or transportation impacts on its website here, and @ladotofficial on X and Instagram.
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 MyLA311 or by calling 3-1-1, which will operate overnight Wednesday and into the early morning hours on Thursday. 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:
Ahead of the previous rain event at the end of January, Mayor Bass issued an Emergency Executive Order to shore up burn areas and to mitigate the serious health and environmental impacts of fire-related hazardous pollutants on the stormwater system, beaches and ocean. The emergency executive order marshals City Public Works crews to clear and remove vegetation, shore up hillsides, reinforce roads and clear debris from neighborhoods and burn areas.
While the clean up work from both the Eaton and Palisades fires marks the fastest large-scale debris removal operation in modern state history, recent burn areas from the Palisades, Hurst, Kenneth, and Sunset fires are at a higher risk of debris flows and stormwater runoff that may contain hazardous substances. Additional safety messages may be directed at these neighborhoods on Thursday. Get ready and take extra precautions, especially if you are in an area that was impacted by the recent wildfires.
Preparing for Local Flooding and Wet Weather
The Bureau of Sanitation (LASAN) has been conducting storm preparedness measures citywide and has extra staff on standby. Crews in the Palisades burn area have been onsite for debris basin clearing.
Significant rains, as currently predicted, will add substantial flow to the sewer system, water reclamation plants and stormwater system, so LASAN is on alert and ready to address any of these issues. 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.
LASAN has activated its wet weather plan – putting trucks, generators and other equipment at the ready. LASAN will proactively deploy crews to known areas of flooding in the city.
More than 10,000 feet of concrete barriers and more than 6,500 sandbags and other erosion control measures have been put in place throughout the Palisades.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) will be on duty and ready to assist with service requests.
Preparations Made By The Los Angeles Fire Department:
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) will be augmenting and pre-deploying resources to respond to potential rainfall impacts.
To help Angelenos prepare for rainstorm needs, LAFD provides free ready-to-fill sandbags year-round at all 106 Neighborhood Fire Stations, with sand also available for free at select locations. For locations for sandbag pick-up, click here.
An additional LAFD Helicopter, a Type 1 Swift Water rescue team, five Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, dozers and a loader, a Type 3 OES Strike Team, a Type 6 Task Force, and an additional dispatcher will be prepositioned.
Preparations Made By The Los Angeles Police Department:
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has visited 133 houses in high risk burn scar areas to issue specific evacuation orders.
LAPD is ready to ensure that calls for service are handled and to provide support should any evacuation be needed.
Each patrol division will be providing checks of critical infrastructure for fire, flooding and wind damage.
LAPD is prepared to help with evacuations and road closures that may occur in the Palisades area.
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.
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 on NextDoor to 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:
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 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.
Preparing For Impacts on City-Run Rec Centers and Parks:
City-run Recreation Centers and Parks will operate under normal hours.
Recreation and Parks Rangers are monitoring burn scar areas in regional parks and are available to address any public safety issues within parks.
The Forestry Division is on standby and ready to mobilize for any fallen trees in the parks system.
The Construction Division is prepared 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 may have modified operations based on weather. 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 At Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA):
While LAWA does not anticipate any operational impacts, LAWA staff will be available as needed.
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. A good alternative to avoid driving in the rain is to use the FlyAway Bus which runs from Union Station and Van Nuys.
Facilities and maintenance staff will be on-site and will be 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 initiate ground stops at LAX due to heavy rain wind or if there are 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.
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:
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 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 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 also prioritize additional maintenance for drainage systems.
Any adjustments to Zoo operations will be updated in real-time for the public on the Zoo's website at www.lazoo.org.