What causes mudslides, what can be done to lessen danger?
1 month, 1 week ago

What causes mudslides, what can be done to lessen danger?

Deccan Chronicle  

Mudslides are dangerous torrents that are usually referred to by geologists and first responders as debris flows. California has worked to add tools to protect against mudslides, including pinpointing hot spots, creating basins and placing nets to capture falling debris before it hits homes. On Jan. 9, 2018, intense rain fell on a weeks-old wildfire burn scar in the mountains above Montecito on the Santa Barbara County coast, unleashing huge torrents that tore through the community, killing 23 people and destroying or damaging hundreds of homes. After the 2018 mudslides hit Montecito, the Los Angeles Times reported that debris basins above the community were undersized and hadn’t been sufficiently emptied. The California Department of Conservation runs a geological and landslide mapping team that seeks to identify hot spots, and continually updates its map so local communities can make decisions including potential evacuations.

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History of this topic

Los Angeles at high risk of flooding as rain drenches areas ravaged by January wildfires
1 month, 1 week ago

Los Angeles at high risk of flooding as rain drenches areas ravaged by January wildfires

ABC  

Los Angeles locals are preparing for a "high risk" of flooding and landslides following the deadly fires that ripped through the county last month. The bulk of the county is under flash flooding watch with areas affected by the scars of the blaze — which killed at least 29 people — at greater risk of landslides. Hillside areas such as …

Southern California storms: Region dodges worst of mudslide fears as heavy rains move through
1 month, 1 week ago

Southern California storms: Region dodges worst of mudslide fears as heavy rains move through

CNN  

CNN — The most intense rain to hit Southern California in over a year unleashed flooding, debris flows and mudslides that trapped cars and covered roadways, but spared areas burned in devastating wildfires from the catastrophe that was feared. Some evacuation orders remain in the Los Angeles area through Friday afternoon for select residences near burn scar areas, even though …

New data shows Pacific Palisades, Altadena face heightened mudslide risk as storm pounds fire zones
1 month, 1 week ago

New data shows Pacific Palisades, Altadena face heightened mudslide risk as storm pounds fire zones

LA Times  

A car drives past homes lost in the Palisades fire as rain falls over Las Lomas Avenue in Pacific Palisades on Wednesday. In the San Gabriel Valley, where the Eaton fire charred a deadly and devastating path — leveling more than 9,400 structures including many homes — a state report noted that there’s a high likelihood that heavy rain could …

5 things to know about mudslide risk as major rains hit Los Angeles County
1 month, 1 week ago

5 things to know about mudslide risk as major rains hit Los Angeles County

LA Times  

Crews clear mud and debris along Palisades Drive after rain soaked fire-ravaged hillsides on Jan. 27. Debris flows can hit new areas or return to previous areas; they might be smaller — or larger — the next time. The higher the rainfall rate above that threshold, “that’s where we could get some more appreciable and significant debris flows,” said Ryan …

After devastating fires, California faces threat of landslides. How do they work?
1 month, 1 week ago

After devastating fires, California faces threat of landslides. How do they work?

LA Times  

Southern California faces a risk of damaging debris flows this week, as a potentially strong atmospheric river is set to arrive in the region. The higher the rainfall rate above that threshold, “that’s where we could get some more appreciable and significant debris flows,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. Moments into New Year’s …

Opinion: After the Los Angeles fires stop burning, another grave risk to lives and property looms
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Opinion: After the Los Angeles fires stop burning, another grave risk to lives and property looms

LA Times  

The unprecedented firestorm that has devastated so much of Southern California will eventually wind down, possibly with the help of much-needed rain. After a series of deadly and damaging post-fire floods in the 1930s, Southern California invested heavily in infrastructure to contain such flows, specifically large dams and smaller debris basins designed to trap mud and debris hazards before they …

10 years after the deadliest US landslide, climate change is increasing the danger
1 year ago

10 years after the deadliest US landslide, climate change is increasing the danger

Associated Press  

OSO, Wash. — After the mountainside collapsed, obliterating a neighborhood and 43 lives in the worst landslide disaster in U.S. history, Jessica Pzsonka made a promise -– to herself, to her bereft parents and to her late sister, who was buried along with two young sons, her husband and in-laws. Jessica Pszonka talks about the memorial for her family members …

California hit with another storm as state battles flooding and mudslides
1 year, 1 month ago

California hit with another storm as state battles flooding and mudslides

The Independent  

✕ Close Floodwaters rush through Montecito, California on Monday afternoon Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A brutal storm that battered …

Southern Californians recount harrowing mudslides during deadly record-breaking storm
1 year, 1 month ago

Southern Californians recount harrowing mudslides during deadly record-breaking storm

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Jesus Barron answered his wife’s panicked phone call warning him that a mudslide was smashing into their bedroom in the hills of eastern Los Angeles County. “I thought the worst.” Wendy Barron escaped their Hacienda Heights home during Tuesday’s historic downpours in Southern California, but it was seriously damaged when mud flowed down the hillside and blasted …

Mud and debris are flowing down hillsides across California. What causes the slides?
1 year, 1 month ago

Mud and debris are flowing down hillsides across California. What causes the slides?

Hindustan Times  

LOS ANGELES — When rainstorms like this week’s powerful atmospheric river hit California, the earth begins to move. Commonly called mudslides, these dangerous torrents are usually referred to by geologists and first responders as debris flows, which the U.S. Geological Survey describes as fast-moving landslides capable of exceeding 35 mph. On Jan. 9, 2018, intense rain fell on a weeks-old …

Mud and debris are flowing down hillsides across California. What causes the slides?
1 year, 1 month ago

Mud and debris are flowing down hillsides across California. What causes the slides?

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Commonly called mudslides, these dangerous torrents are usually …

Mud and debris are flowing down hillsides across California. What causes the slides?
1 year, 1 month ago

Mud and debris are flowing down hillsides across California. What causes the slides?

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — When rainstorms like this week’s powerful atmospheric river hit California, the earth begins to move. Commonly called mudslides, these dangerous torrents are usually referred to by geologists and first responders as debris flows, which the U.S. Geological Survey describes as fast-moving landslides capable of exceeding 35 mph. On Jan. 9, 2018, intense rain fell on a weeks-old …

California flooding in pictures as ‘1 in 1000 year’ storm wreaks havoc
1 year, 1 month ago

California flooding in pictures as ‘1 in 1000 year’ storm wreaks havoc

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A historic storm has deluged California over the past three days, bringing record amounts of …

Deadly storm pummeling California threatens to burst banks of LA River
1 year, 1 month ago

Deadly storm pummeling California threatens to burst banks of LA River

Daily Mail  

A deadly Pacific storm, the second 'Pineapple Express' weather system to pummel the West Coast in less than a week, dumped torrential rain over Southern California on Monday, leading to streets being flooded and triggering more than 120 mudslides. So far, portions of Los Angeles County received more than 10 inches of rain since Sunday Some areas, such as Bel …

Deadly storm continues to batter Southern California amid new flood, mudslide fears
1 year, 1 month ago

Deadly storm continues to batter Southern California amid new flood, mudslide fears

LA Times  

Firefighters rescue a woman from a homeless encampment that became surrounded by floodwater in the Santa Ana River in San Bernardino. The National Weather Service said that showers will continue into the evening and that “rainfall rates would likely produce more flooding and the flood watch will continue into this afternoon.” Three people died Sunday in Northern California in separate …

Things to know about a landslide that has destroyed homes in Southern California
1 year, 8 months ago

Things to know about a landslide that has destroyed homes in Southern California

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents the …

500 mudslides, flooded communities, broken bridges: California faces long, costly storm recovery
2 years, 2 months ago

500 mudslides, flooded communities, broken bridges: California faces long, costly storm recovery

LA Times  

A pier in Santa Cruz split in half. The atmospheric river storms that pummeled California for weeks inflicted “extensive” damage to as many as 40 of the state’s 58 counties, and total repairs could reach as much as $1 billion, according to authorities. The storms brought “significant” damage to Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties, as well as Monterey, Santa …

EXPLAINER: Tackling threat of mudslides in soaked California
2 years, 2 months ago

EXPLAINER: Tackling threat of mudslides in soaked California

Associated Press  

SAN DIEGO — Relentless storms from a series of atmospheric rivers have saturated the steep mountains and bald hillsides scarred from wildfires along much of California’s long coastline, causing hundreds of landslides this month. The most vulnerable areas are hillsides that have burned in the past two to three years with communities below them, said Jeremy Lancaster, who leads the …

EXPLAINER: Tackling threat of mudslides in soaked California
2 years, 2 months ago

EXPLAINER: Tackling threat of mudslides in soaked California

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Relentless storms from a series …

Landslides, sinkholes, floods plague storm-hit California
2 years, 2 months ago

Landslides, sinkholes, floods plague storm-hit California

Al Jazeera  

Sinkholes swallowed cars and floodwaters swamped towns and swept away a small boy as the US state of California was wracked by more wild winter weather, while the next in a powerful string of storms loomed on the horizon. Millions of residents faced flood warnings, nearly 50,000 people were under evacuation orders, and more than 110,000 homes and businesses were …

‘Concurrent disasters’: How California could see more severe mudslides as a result of wildfires
4 years, 1 month ago

‘Concurrent disasters’: How California could see more severe mudslides as a result of wildfires

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The debris flow took place in the burn scar of the Dolan wildfire last August, according to local news …

California’s fire, rain and mudslide cycle: How to prepare and stay safe
4 years, 1 month ago

California’s fire, rain and mudslide cycle: How to prepare and stay safe

LA Times  

Residents in Santa Cruz County are under evacuation warnings as heavy rains threaten to cause mudslides in areas scorched during last summer’s wildfires. Atmospheric river storms in California are raising concerns about mudslides and debris flows in areas hit by recent fires. California Photos: Storm brings rain, snow and cold to California A winter storm swept over much of Southern …

Threat of mudslides returns to California after devastating fires. How do they work?
5 years, 3 months ago

Threat of mudslides returns to California after devastating fires. How do they work?

LA Times  

A structure sits in a tree in Montecito during the deadly mudslide of January 2018. A Thanksgiving Day storm hit Southern California, bringing heavy rain that could result in mudflows in recent wildfire burn areas. “They’re in this constant battle.” × Animated infographic shows how debris flows and deep-seated landslides happen How do wildfires worsen the mudslide risk? Moments after …

Lessons from California Mudslides: Science's Credibility Is At Stake
6 years, 10 months ago

Lessons from California Mudslides: Science's Credibility Is At Stake

Wired  

For applied scientists—that intrepid cadre who get their hands dirty in the sometimes dangerous world beyond the ivory tower, participating in difficult decisions with little time and major consequences—getting the right answer is only half the battle. Predicting debris flows—you might know them better as mudslides— is literally more difficult than rocket science, involving deep concepts in complexity theory like …

Montecito braced for fire, but mud was a more stealthy, deadly threat
7 years, 2 months ago

Montecito braced for fire, but mud was a more stealthy, deadly threat

LA Times  

When the Thomas fire swept down from the Los Padres National Forest and took aim at this coastal town in December, the looming disaster was impossible to miss. “This is not a fire that you can watch slowly and see if it’s coming,” said Jeff Gater, Santa Barbara County’s emergency manager. “When you look at mud, it’s 20 feet high,” …

California mudslides: At least 17 killed, thousands evacuated
7 years, 2 months ago

California mudslides: At least 17 killed, thousands evacuated

Al Jazeera  

Torrents of mud overran roads and upscale neighbourhoods in the wake of heavy rains near Santa Barbara. The mudslides were triggered by torrential downpours that unleashed rain on the region, which had already been hit by last month’s mammoth Thomas Fire – the largest wildfire ever recorded in California. Fires clear leaves and decomposing plant debris which would normally soak …

After wildfires, California faces heavy rains and mudslides
7 years, 2 months ago

After wildfires, California faces heavy rains and mudslides

Salon  

California is having a string of bad luck when it comes to natural disasters. Following intense rainfall across the state, mudslides in Santa Barbara county have killed at least 15 people, and left an unknown number injured and/or missing. “Although we knew that this was coming you couldn’t help but be amazed at the intensity of the storm.” The most …

Californians Evacuated Out Of Fear Of Mudslides Where Thomas Fire Scorched Land
7 years, 2 months ago

Californians Evacuated Out Of Fear Of Mudslides Where Thomas Fire Scorched Land

NPR  

Californians Evacuated Out Of Fear Of Mudslides Where Thomas Fire Scorched Land Thousands of Californians have been evacuated from the Santa Barbara area among fears of mudslides after heavy rains hit the hillsides denuded by the enormous Thomas fire. After months of bone-dry conditions, heavy rains fell north of Los Angeles overnight exactly were the state's largest wildfire had recently …

Storms that caused deadly Southern California mudslides push north
10 years, 7 months ago

Storms that caused deadly Southern California mudslides push north

LA Times  

Thunderstorms that wreaked havoc in portions of the mountains and deserts of San Bernardino County have headed north, forecasters said, giving residents a chance to recover from flash floods that killed one person and left thousands temporarily stranded The system of thick, slow-moving storms is headed into the Sierra Nevada, which have been hit hard in recent months by wildfires, …

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