Winter Storms Update (revised March 29, 3 PM)

Check here for storm resources and updates on LA City impacts, as events develop.

 

Weather Reports

Another cold storm has reached the City, beginning early morning March 29. Rainfall amounts for most areas of Los Angeles have been as projected; less-than 1 inch. An additional period of less rain will end early Thursday morning, March 30, with thunderstorms possible as well as a slight risks for hail, lighting and waterspouts. Peak rain rates during thunderstorms can be up to half-an-inch per hour. See also: National Weather Service Forecast

A National Weather Service chart showing rain timing through Thursday, heaviest tonight and Wednesday night.
Map of southwest California, highlighting area of most concern for coastal LA City, ending at 9 AM on 3/30. There is a risk for strong winds, lightning, hail, and remote chance of a small, short-lived tornado. The National Weather Service will be actively monitoring the storm. Stay weather aware of your surroundings! If strong winds or a tornado occurs, find shelter in the most interior room of a building and stay away from windows.

 

 

Lighning strike on a dark night.

 

Thunderstorm Safety

"When thunder roars, go indoors!"

• Thunderstorms are ALWAYS caused by and include lightning.

• If you hear THUNDER, even a distant rumble, get to a safe place.

• STAY where you are until 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.

Get more thunderstorm and lightning safety information from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): 

Lighting Safety Plan

 

 

Tornado Warning – A tornado is happening or imminent. Take shelter immediately. Tornado Watch – A tornado is possible. Stay tuned to local radio/TV for info. Know where you’ll shelter if you have to.

Tornado Response

The best response to a tornado-like occurrence, such as a “landspout” (though rare here) depends on where you are. Outdoors, find shelter quickly, or lie flat in a low area like a ditch or ravine and protect your head and neck. Avoid areas with trees. Indoors, follow advice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for single- or multilevel structures:

Tornado Shelter-in-Place

 

LOCAL IMPACTS

 

Hillside Slippage

One of several tarped and K-railed hillside homes in the Baldwin Hills area of LA is shown.

       Wednesday, 10 AM, 3/29 - SLIDE AREAS: Past weeks' rains created saturated hillsides Citywide. Response/recovery agencies are monitoring slides in various locations - including hillside communities in the Baldwin Hills area, where in the interest of personal safety, a few homes were yellow-tagged for limited access. Impacted homes and hillsides continue to be evaluated for stability. 

Days after the rains, a large (near-half acre) slide developed from heavily saturated soils in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood resulting in both affected homes being declared unsafe for dwelling, pending further City inspection.

Wednesday AM, an additional slide during morning rains caused ~8,000 square-feet of mud to slide towards homes in the Beverly Ridge area - south of Mulholland Drive - blocking driveways. No homes were tagged.     

 

 

​ Recognize warning signs of a potential landslide. Fences, retaining walls, utility poles, or trees tilt or move. Widening cracks appear on the ground or on paved areas such as streets or driveways. Listen and watch for rushing water, mud, or unusual sounds.

Signs of a Slide

Listen AND watch for other warning signs, such as: mud buildup at the base of hills, widening cracks in outside walls or paved areas, sticking doors, newly broken utility lines, and new pools of ground water.

 

More Warning Signs

 

 

Report Storm Impacts

(Image of a cellphone in front of a City skyline): Text = THE POWER OF CITY SERVICES IS IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND - mla311.lacity.org; Download the MyLA311 appy

 

Angelenos should contact 9-1-1 for possible life-threatening storm-related emergencies. Call 3-1-1 for other impacts, such as mudslides and street flooding, downed power lines, or fallen trees. 

SAVE TIME and access most LA City services online, OR download the cellphone app for MyLA311

 

 

 

logo of CDSS California Dept. of Social Services

Disaster Assistance Guides

 

Disaster Assistance Services for Californians

  Disaster Services for Immigrant Californians

   

 

Winter Shelters

 

Shelter Info for Persons Experiencing Homelessness

  Call for LA County Winter Shelters: 2-1-1 or (800) 548-6047

 

In addition, any LA City indoor public facility may serve as shelter from the rains during normal business hours, including:

Recreation & Parks Facilities

  Public Library Branches

 

Local Transportation

Rainy Day Safety Tips: Anticipate closures and delays. Give yourself enough time to travel and plan alternate routes. -Slow down! Roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks can be slippery when wet. -Bad weather can cause poor visibility. Use headlights or bike lights, and wear bright-colored clothing. -Report downed trees, flooding, mudslides, or other road hazards by calling 3-1-1.

 

Public Utilities

picture of a traffic signal with what to do if traffic signals are not operating
An infographic shows images of a cell phone, lighting bolt, and utility pole. Text states: DOWNED WIRE SAFETY TIPS; immediately call 911 is you see a downed line, always assume the wire is energized, and stay away from any downed wires you see.

 

Report Local Power Outages

Preparing for & Coping with Outages

 

Emergency Alerts

During winter storms, the City of Los Angeles may activate its alerting systems for localized issues of significant impact, when authorized. Residents in the immediate affected areas -- those that opted into NotifyLA -- will receive directed information, with advice on specific actions to take and where to turn for timely updates. To receive all-weather critical alerts for YOUR area . . .

Register for NotifyLA

 

Public Health

Immediately following storms, Public Health will close some local beaches as a result of increased bacterial levels due to runoff from urban streets and storm drains. Check for beach closures at:

 Beach Water Quality Advisories

Public Health Cold Weather Advice

 

 

More Resources

More heavy rains will likely return this winter and/or spring. Residents should take several simple steps necessary to protect themselves from injury and their property from storm damage.

 

Follow LA City Fire & Rescue Alerts

More on Storm Safety & Preparedness

LA City Fire Offers Free Sandbag

LA Sanitation "Wet Weather Preparedness"

Caltrans Freeway Pothole Damage Claims