Mandatory evacuations in Duarte as rain, snow sweep through region
As a significant storm sweeps across Southern California Tuesday, dousing much of the region with light rain overnight and continuing off-and-on through the day, but the forecast of more significant downpours has already prompted evacuation orders and warnings due to possible debris flows.
City officials said 25 homes in the Fish Fire burn area of Duarte are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the storm and the danger of flooding and debris flows.
Valley View Elementary School, 237 Mel Canyon Road, was closed Tuesday, along with various streets near the burn area, including Brookridge Road and Opal Canyon Road, Opal Canyon Road and Mel Canyon Road, Mel Canyon Road at Deerlane Drive, and Mel Canyon Road at Fish Canyon Road.
However, mandatory evacuations are expected to be lifted after 10 p.m., CBSLA Reporter Joy Benedict has learned.
Nevertheless, residents like Yvan Carpio were not taking any chances when it comes to being prepared to leave at any moment's notice.
"We're prepared. We have our documents ready, our bags ready. Our car is ready to go in case we need to," Carpio told CBSLA Reporter Kandiss Crone.
Around 25 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders. k-rails line mel canyon road...as sheriff deputies posted up ahead of the rain.
Forecasters said coastal and valley areas can expect 1 to 3 inches of rain, with 2 to 5 inches possible in the mountains, with "locally higher amounts."
"Travel could be very difficult. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage," according to the National Weather Service.
While the evacuation orders are mandatory, some residents do not plan on leaving their homes.
Duarte resident Kent Gordon said he rode out the storm six years ago that sent mud into his neighborhood. He decided to stay put.
"The sheriff came yesterday and knocked on our door and they said it's mandatory, 'you have the option to stay but you have to sign a paper telling us you're gonna stay,'" Gordon said.
He isn't as concerned for what the storm can cause as previous years when fires did more damage.
"The fire that we just had over the summer up there wasn't as severe as it was six years ago. Six years ago it burned quite a bit of the hill so more mud came down. That was a smaller fire but it was in the same location as the old one. That's why they were concerned about mudslides," Gordon said.
A flood watch will be in effect from through Tuesday evening in the Los Angeles County mountains, Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and San Gabriel Valley, with forecasters warning of flash flooding, debris flows and rockslides in recent burn scars.