After weeks of scorching heat and destructive wildfires, Southern California is finally seeing some rain—much-needed rain that’s both a relief and a new concern. The downpours began on Sunday, bringing some much-needed moisture to the fire-ravaged region, but also raising the risk of floods and mudslides in areas scarred by the fires.
Starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, a flood watch went into effect for parts of Los Angeles County, especially the areas hardest hit by recent wildfires. These fires, including the Eaton, Palisades, and Hughes blazes, have already caused immense destruction, burning thousands of homes and tragically claiming the lives of at least 28 people since January 7. This flood watch will last through Monday afternoon, and while the rain isn’t expected to be heavy enough to cause major flooding, any sudden downpours could trigger dangerous mudslides or debris flows, especially in areas where the fires recently burned.
This storm is a big deal because it’s the first time in months that Southern California has seen significant rain. The city of Los Angeles has barely gotten any rain since June, with a measly 0.03 inches recorded, which has led to a severe drought. But with this storm, people are finally getting a decent soaking, with rainfall amounts expected to range from a half-inch to an inch. That’s a much-needed break for both residents and firefighters.
In the mountains, the rain will be mixed with snow, with higher elevations like the San Gabriel Mountains expecting up to 14 inches of fresh powder. While snow sounds nice, it also adds a layer of complexity, as heavy snow and rain can make travel treacherous in these areas.
But despite the rain, firefighters are still battling active blazes across the region. The Palisades Fire, which started in the Pacific Palisades area on January 7, is now 84% contained. It’s burned more than 23,000 acres, destroyed nearly 7,000 homes, and tragically killed 11 people. The Eaton Fire, which also started on January 7 in Pasadena, is 95% contained after burning over 14,000 acres and destroying thousands of structures.
Other fires still burning include the Hughes Fire, which started last week near Castaic Lake, and the Border 2 Fire near the San Diego-Mexico border. Although these fires are more contained, they’re still active and threatening the region.
Despite the progress, the rain poses a new challenge for firefighters, who are now also working to manage the risks of flash flooding and debris flows. It’s a reminder of how tricky this wildfire season has been—what starts as a fire fight can quickly turn into a flood emergency when the rain comes.
As the region faces these changing weather conditions, it’s a time of mixed emotions: relief that the rain is finally here, but also caution as the rain could bring new dangers to the areas already devastated by fire.
