Portions of California, Arizona and Nevada are facing a flood watch as a storm shifts east from Los Angeles County into the Mojave Desert, potentially triggering storm runoff and “rapid flooding” of sensitive areas.
Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service (NWS) via email Monday night for comment.
Why It Matters
A powerful atmospheric river storm brought unusually heavy rains to Los Angeles County and large swaths of Southern California recently, leading to flash flood warnings and fatalities across the state. Severe weather like this poses significant risks for communities in wildfire burn scar areas, where rainfall can rapidly incite life-threatening mudslides and debris flows, threatening lives and property.
Flooding remains the second deadliest weather hazard in the United States, highlighting the broader public safety implications of such events.
What To Know
According to the NWS, portions of Los Angeles County are under a flood warning until 9 p.m. PT Monday. Those areas include Burbank, Pasadena, Altadena and the Eaton burn scar. As the storm rips across the state, portions of the desert including Death Valley National Park, Eastern Mojave Desert, Owens Valley and San Bernardino County-Upper Colorado River Valley will be under a flood watch.
In Arizona, Lake Havasu and Fort Mohave, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Northwest Deserts are also under the watch, the NWS says. In Nevada, the Lake Mead area, Las Vegas Valley, northeast, southern and western Clark County, and southern Nye County are also under the watch.
The watch begins at 10 p.m. PT Monday and will continue until late Tuesday night, the NWS says.
“A storm system will move in late tonight with areas of heavy rain spreading across much of the Mojave Desert and Northwest Arizona. Embedded thunderstorms are also expected which may produce locally heavier rainfall. Combined with the wet soils from the weekend storm system…storm run off will happen quickly and may lead to rapid flooding of sensitive basins,” the NWS says.
What People Are Saying
NWS Los Angeles, on X Monday: “There’s been areas of heavy downpours & some wind with the main front, and these heavier showers can lead to localized flooding issues, mud and rock slides, downed trees and reduced visibilities. Turn around, don’t drive through flooded roadways. #CArain #socal”
NWS Las Vegas, on X Monday: “Heads up! Another round of heavy rain is on the way which could lead to localized flooding. Be mindful of flood sensitive basins, washes, and be prepared to seek higher ground if you encounter flood waters. #cawx #nvwx #azwx”
What Happens Next
The NWS urges residents in the affected areas to monitor local forecasts “and be alert for possible Flood Warnings.”
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