California Faces Major Mudslides

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After fire has burned the roots of many bushes and trees that hold soil in place during rainy periods, the chance of mudslides has risen sharply. “AccuWeather expert meteorologists are sounding the alarm for an elevated risk of dangerous debris flows and destructive mudslides next week in areas left scorched by destructive wildfires.”

Fire Danger First

The danger is not new. Areas which have been burned by fire in the LA area are often followed by mudslides. According to NPR, “California has relatively young mountains from a geology standpoint, meaning much of its steep terrain is still in motion and covered in loose rocks and soil that can be sloughed off easily, especially when the ground is wet, according to geologists.”

The state of California Department of Conservation even keeps a website with maps and landslide data from across the area.

Back To 1969

KQED recently published a story about severe mudslides which dated back to 1969. Over that period a number of people were killed and the landslides did millions of dollars of damage. In today’s dollars the amount would be much higher.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk explained. “There has been rain in recent days across parts of Southern California, but this scenario could result in heavy rainfall with a high threat of mudslides and debris flows in the Eaton and Palisades burn scars. Other areas left scorched by wildfires in January are also at risk”