By james art A weekend storm may put an end to California’s devastating wildfires, but it also poses a new risk of flash flooding.
Flood watches have been issued for regions of Los Angeles affected by recent wildfires that broke out earlier this month amid hurricane-force winds after more than seven months without rain — a record for parts of Southern California, according to reports Saturday .
The 24-hour flood watch, which begins at 4 p.m. local time Sunday, includes regions affected by the Palisades Fire, which has burned 23,448 acres and is 79 percent contained, and the Eaton Fire, which has burned 14,021 acres and is 95 percent contained.
The National Weather Service cited the potential for mudslides as the reason for the watches, which indicate flooding is likely but not imminent.
The chance of significant flooding and debris flows ranges from 10 percent to 20 percent, according to federal forecasters.
Los Angeles County, along with cities like Los Angeles, Pasadena and Baldwin Park, is providing sandbags to residents preparing for potential mudslides.
Rain may begin in Los Angeles County Saturday afternoon and intensify Sunday with a chance for “moderate to locally heavy rain and small hail or hail,” according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters forecast a quarter-inch of rain in metropolitan Los Angeles and up to an inch in San Diego, adding that heavier rain could come Sunday.
Winter storm warnings have been issued for the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountain ranges, including communities such as Wrightwood, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Crestline, Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead, due to the expected snow. The 48-hour warnings will start at 4pm local time on Sunday.
The weather service predicted that up to 18 inches of snow could accumulate above 6,000 feet, with as much as 6 inches possible above 4,000 feet, by Saturday afternoon into Monday afternoon.