CA: Flash-Flood Warning Issued - Singles Out Julian and Cuyamaca

NBC San Diego ^ | November 12, 2003 | nbcsandiego.com

[lainie]

POSTED: 10:36 a.m. PST November 12, 2003
UPDATED: 12:11 p.m. PST November 12, 2003

SAN DIEGO -- The National Weather Service has issued a flash-flood warning for central San Diego County, specifically singling out the areas of Julian and Cuyamaca.

Julian and Cuyamaca, of course, were heavily damaged by the recent firestorm, making those communities especially susceptible to mudslides.

The NWS also issued the warning to Southwestern San Bernardino County.

The warning, which will be in effect until noon on 'Wednesday, said that Doppler radar indicated very heavy rain over the mountains of San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties. The showers were moving northwest at about 15 mph.

The likelihood of mud- and debris slides will be especially high in recently burned areas and on southwest facing slopes.

A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. People who live in areas the warning is issued about should immediately move to higher ground. Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate precautions to protect life and property.

Residents should not attempt to cross swiftly flowing waters or waters of unknown depth by foot or by automobile. If your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground.

Check back for updates on this breaking-news story.

[lainie]

Story also noted on the NBC Los Angeles website.

Rain Prompts Mudslide Warnings In Fire-Affected Regions

[dirtboy]

They sure have seen fire and rain lately, poor souls...

[theDentist]

Another unexpected gift from the environmentalists who pushed their legislation through.

[lainie]

ping, something to watch for

[lainie]

yep :(

It's not a foregone conclusion. Although, I'm seeing watches turning to warnings, so that's not a good sign.

[Thud]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9927-2003Nov6.html

"... It could get downright biblical.

... When the fires burn hot, as they did in the recent weeks, the plants of the chaparral -- the chamise, scrub oak and California lilac -- release a compound that mixes with the topsoil and makes the earth literally waterproof.

This residue, said Harp of the USGS, "you can't see it, you can't taste it. It has no color and it doesn't degrade in sunlight. You can toss a handful of dirt into a bucket of water and it doesn't get wet. It floats. You'd be amazed."

They call this "non-wettable soil," Harp said. "I had some of this soil in the lab, in water for three or four months, and it never got wet."

When rain -- and in some cases even a heavy mist -- falls upon a hillside that has been charred, its plants and roots burned and gone, and nothing left but water-repellant dirt, there is great potential for avalanches, debris flows, mud floods and other "mass movements."

The top six inches of the slope can literally float away, carrying with it boulders the size of Volkswagens ...

[lainie]

Is that what happens. Out here in the desert, sometimes the previously-wet soil makes what I just call a crust. It's flat here so the only potential danger for me would be flash flooding, river style. It's good for keeping weeds from germinating in the spring at least.

[Verginius Rufus]

I've seen a "California Four Seasons" postcard--earthquakes, fires, mudslides, riots.

This will be unfortunate if it happens, but of course could have been prevented if Bush had only gotten the Senate to ratify the Kyoto Protocols.

[lainie]

mmmhmm. Just like obesity is caused by lack of food labels. It's all so clear.

[dirtboy]

Checked the animated radar on weatherunderground.com, it looks like storms are just training over the burned mountain areas from LA down to San Diego. Not good, hope the wind shifts.

[BurbankKarl]

the EAS just went off on KFI....

162.550

Compton to El Monte getting heavy rain, heading N/B

[BurbankKarl]


e0737a1bwb00000
f n FLASH-NWS_LOX-FLASH_FLOO 11/12 150
FLASH FLOOD WARNING

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA
342 PM PST WED NOV 12 2003

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OXNARD HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
SOUTHERN LOS ANGELES COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA

* UNTIL 445 PM PST

* AT 336 PM PST...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED VERY
HEAVY RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH STRONG THUNDERSTORMS.

* LOCATIONS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE FLASH FLOODING INCLUDE ALHAMBRA...
COMPTON...DOWNEY...EAST LOS ANGELES...EL MONTE...HUNTINGTON PARK...
INGLEWOOD...LA PUENTE...LYNWOOD...MONTEBELLO...MONTEREY
PARK...SOUTH SAN JOSE HILLS...WEST COVINA AND WHITTIER.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN
OXNARD.

LAT...LON 3411 11793 3396 11789 3385 11834 3404 11837
3412 11807


[FFWLOX / WGUS56 KLOX 1068680772]

EDIS-11-12-03 1546 PST

[BurbankKarl]

recorded 1.68 inches of rain at CA60 and I605 in one hour...heading right toward the burn areas Clairmont and east....

[lainie]

Thank you, I was in my car and heard the tail end of it flipping through FM (KTPI). I was just about to login & see if I could find it. And here it is.

[ridesthemiles]

Right- And flies cause $hit.

[BurbankKarl]

all I know is it is pitch black here in Burbank....turn on Ch 7, they finally get to use that Doppler7000...heehee

[lainie]

[BurbankKarl]

Incident: 2579 Type: Roadway Flooding Location: EB I105 ON WILMINGTON AV OFR Zoom Map: 704 7G Info as of: 11/12/2003 4:36:32 PM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
4:35PM - 1039 LACOFD 90 ENRT
4:34PM - PLS ROLL FIRE LN 6
4:34PM - PER 40A ALSO HEAVYIN FLOODING ON EB 105 BTWN LONG BEACH TO WILMINGTON IN THE SLOW LANE APPORX 4 FT
4:32PM - PLZ ROLL CORDS -- TO POSS CHECK DRAINS OR ASST --THX
4:31PM - PLZ ROLL CENTURY SO TO WILMINGTON X 115TH VEHS ARE STUCK W/ PTYS INSIDE --THX
4:30PM - ROLL FIRE DEPT FOR RESCUE
4:26PM - FLOODING AT BOTTOM OFR
4:26PM - 5 FT TO 6FT WATER GOING INTO FSP TK 3 OTHER VEHS INVOLVED

[lainie]

I think it was the 1600 news on KFI that said major thunderstorm in San Gabriel Valley. Same location?

[BurbankKarl]

its coming through the San Fernando Valley too....