Southern California Faces Severe Weather and Evacuations Amid Wildfire Recovery

Tue Oct 14 2025 12:05:24 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As a rare October storm approaches, Los Angeles officials urge caution and preparedness for potential flooding and mudslides, especially in areas recently affected by wildfires.

In the wake of devastating wildfires, Los Angeles is bracing for a powerful October storm predicted to bring heavy rain and strong winds. The National Weather Service warns of mudslides and possible tornadoes, prompting evacuations in vulnerable neighborhoods. Mayor Karen Bass emphasizes the need for residents to stay alert and indoors. Authorities are deploying emergency response teams amid concerns about the unpredictable nature of the storm and its potential impacts on recovery efforts.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Residents in wildfire-scarred neighborhoods of Los Angeles are under evacuation orders as a rare October storm prepares to unleash heavy rains, strong winds, and the potential for mudslides.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed significant concerns regarding the impending weather conditions during a news conference, indicating that emergency teams, including strike and rescue teams, are on standby to respond effectively.

The evacuation orders encompass approximately 115 homes, particularly in areas like Pacific Palisades and Mandeville Canyon, which have already suffered from devastating wildfires earlier this year that resulted in over 30 fatalities and the destruction of more than 17,000 structures.

Officials warn that the lack of vegetation left behind from the fires poses a heightened risk for mudslides, as soils loosen during heavy rains.

With forecasts indicating up to 4 inches (10.2 cm) of rain in parts of Los Angeles, the National Weather Service labeled the storm a rare and very potent storm system, with the most severe impacts expected to occur throughout Tuesday. As of late Monday, over 16,000 residents were already experiencing power outages.

Ariel Cohen, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, stated that the unpredictable nature of the storm could even lead to isolated tornadoes, complicating preparedness efforts. We cannot be certain about when and where these impacts may occur until very close to the time they happen, he noted.

In anticipation of the storm, Los Angeles Fire Department teams began patrolling at-risk areas on Monday night. State Route 27, starting from the Pacific Coast Highway, has been closed as a precaution.

As heavy rain has already begun to fall in Northern California, urban flooding has been reported around the San Francisco Bay Area. Closures of local establishments, such as the Gladstones restaurant along the Pacific Coast Highway, have been enacted due to concerns over debris flows experienced during previous storm events.

The threat of post-fire mudslides remains a critical concern for officials and residents alike, especially as the state remembers past catastrophic events like the 2018 Montecito mudslides that caused widespread destruction and loss of life.

Simultaneously, elsewhere across the country, Typhoon Halong has also caused devastating effects with hurricane-force winds and extreme flooding reported in Alaska, further highlighting the widespread impact of severe weather phenomena.

With recovery needs growing and winter fast approaching, local communities are called to prioritize support for those most affected by recent disasters.