An atmospheric river storm, which typically carries a quantity of water similar to that of the mouth of the Mississippi River, is rushing towards Los Angeles, according to the National Weather Service. As Trojan community members travel to campus for USC’s Homecoming weekend, LA residents and visitors alike may need to adjust to severe weather conditions.
The NWS forecasts up to 5 inches of rain in some places, and expects the worst of the storm during Friday night and into Saturday morning. According to the LA County website, evacuation warnings will remain in place until 8 a.m. Sunday for neighborhoods near recent burn scars because of the threat of mudslides and debris flows — the alerts cover communities affected by the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Sunset and Hurst fires that burned in January.
The LA Emergency Operations Center activated Thursday evening and crews placed 13,000 feet of K-rail barriers in Pacific Palisades, according to the LA City website. Topanga Canyon Boulevard is already closed, and the NWS warns of potential airport and traffic delays through Saturday, when the agency estimates a 70% chance of rainfall exceeding 0.5 inches per hour over burn scars — high enough to trigger dangerous debris flows.
Phyllis Grifman, associate director of USC Sea Grant, a federal-state-university partnership that focuses on ocean research, education and outreach, said climate change has increased the severity of storms by warming the ocean and evaporating more moisture into the atmosphere.
Grifman said the areas affected by January’s Eaton and Palisades wildfires now run the risk of further damage as the ground is more vulnerable to being destabilized when pelted by heavy rain.
“The biggest risk is landslides,” Grifman said. “Burned plants and roots can’t hold soil. In hard rain, erosion events are much more likely.”
However, Grifman added that water-saturated hillsides could reduce future fire risk in the upcoming months by keeping vegetation moist, even as erosion remains a serious concern.
She also urged residents and students to avoid creeks, hillsides and flooded intersections, which could present unknown risks.
“Never cross water that looks shallow — cars can be floated or trapped,” she said.
Officials have not announced any changes to USC’s homecoming football against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the coliseum on Saturday, though it is expected to be played in heavy rain. As USC prepares for its Homecoming celebration and Alumni Weekend, Trojan community members worried their plans might be disrupted.
Brett Huffman, an alumnus from the class of 1995, said he hoped to see the football game in person, but was reconsidering his plans.
“If it really rolls in, I’ll listen to [the game] on the way home,” Huffman said.
Grayson Vasquez, a junior majoring in business, said his father planned to travel to join him for the football game, but grew wary of flooding in the streets.
“After we heard about all the flood warnings, and all the rain and the thunderstorms, he decided not to,” Vasquez said.
Others are waiting until the brunt of the storm rolls in before changing their weekend plans.
“We’re playing it by ear,” said Tiffany Dowd, a 1995 broadcast journalism alumnus.
Residents can follow continuing storm developments and safety updates at the NWS website.