In a place where earthquakes are often met with a shrug, the recent downpours have turned Southern California on its head. From unexpected power outages to endless lines of traffic, we’re witnessing what’s on track to be the wettest February in Los Angeles, according to CNN.
Believe it or not, according to Captain Adam Vangerpen with the Los Angeles Fire Department, the heaviest showers are still on the horizon.
VANGERPEN: The largest amount of rain has not yet hit. We are anticipating there to be some heavy rain coming in tonight. So we are in preparation, we are in standby for that. All the cities agencies right now are standing by and we do have our emergency operations center activated, where we have heads of every department who is here at the ready.
So what steps can drivers take to stay safe in these crazy weather conditions? Vangerpen shared his thoughts on how drivers can approach hitting the roads in the rain.
VANGERPEN: Well, the number one thing is to slow down, make sure that you take preparations for wherever you’re gonna be going. So give yourself some additional time t ions so that you can avoid hydroplaning. We’re also trying to remind people to avoid the canyon areas, the canyon areas can be subject to flash flooding or some debris flows.
Yet, as we continue to navigate through these torrential downpours, the rain’s toll on our roads and vehicles has become increasingly apparent. According to the City of LA, it has worked to repair over 4,000 potholes this rain season, turning our commutes into obstacle courses for drivers.
Understanding the importance of vehicle maintenance and safety during such times, the American Automobile Association spokesperson Gianella Ghiglino shared her insight on Los Angeles’ pothole crisis.
GHIGLINO: Los Angeles actually has the worst potholes in the nation. So for a lot of drivers here in Southern California, potholes are a concern, and how do potholes get worse? With water and traffic, which is what we are experiencing right now. So first and foremost, it’s so important that drivers are cautious. So the best way to avoid potholes is to drive slowly and be cautious with everything that’s around you.
In highlighting these dangers, Ghiglino underscores the broader implications of rain on road safety, shedding light on why vigilance is so important.
GHIGLINO: So every year, we’re seeing about 1.2 million traffic crashes happen due to the rain. So those are traffic crashes that could have been prevented, all those crashes could have been prevented those 1.2 million traffic crashes that happened in the rain could have been prevented. So in times like this, it’s so it’s imperative that people really focus on the road and try to be more cautious than ever.
But it’s not just our cars feeling the strain. The rain is reshaping our daily routines and even our willingness to venture out. USC student Zoe Hosley shared their perspective on how the weather is impacting student life and mobility.
HOSLEY: I definitely think that Californians in general struggle with driving in the rain and I think that like I too get really scared when it’s pouring down heavy and overall everyone just kind of drives a lot slower. And so obviously it’s less efficient to get places and like I know a lot of my friends are less incentivized to go places when it’s like so rainy and I think it’s just like the nature of California.
Hosley’s experience echoes a broader sentiment across Southern California. As we brace for more rainfall, the city’s proactive measures, like the extensive pothole repairs, underscore the critical importance of preparedness and adaptability in the face of nature’s forces.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Sethan Perez, wishing you safe travels and dry days ahead.