Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images News / Getty Images
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - One day after declaring a local emergency to ensure resources for the city's recovery from this week's record-setting storm, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged residents to continue acting with caution with more rain in the forecast Tuesday.
Bass' action Monday came on the heels of similar emergency declarations by Los Angeles County and Gov. Gavin Newsom, who declared an emergency for all of Southern California. The mayor recognized that Sunday's storm marked the 10th wettest day in the history of the city since recording rain amounts began in 1877.
"Angelenos should know that even though the rain may ease up a bit today, this storm continues and that means we still need Angelenos to take precautions and to stay informed during this time," Bass said Tuesday morning.
Bass said President Joe Biden called her Monday evening and expressed concern about what was happening in Los Angeles.
"The president had said `Look, first of all, I think you guys are undergoing one hell of an operation here. We'll get any help on the way as soon as you guys request it, so just let me know. That's why I'm calling,"' Bass said.
"... I can assure Angelenos that call will be made today," Bass said Tuesday. "I've invited Gov. Newsom to come down to assist in the recovery effort."
Bass previously noted that the city had to evacuate certain neighborhoods, and said residents will receive an alert if their area requires an evacuation.
Residents were asked to keep 911 lines open for life-threatening emergencies, including fallen power lines. The city's 311 hours to request service have been extended for flooded roads, fallen branches, flooded gutters and more. In case of power outages or water main breaks, residents should call the Department of Water and Power at 1-800-DIAL-DWP.
Bass reiterated that her office, alongside the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, has done "intensified" outreach to people experiencing homelessness near the L.A. River and in high flood-risk areas. The city's shelters were full, she added.
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said about six to 12 inches of rain fell across the L.A. region. The atmospheric river system was expected to bring periods of rain with a chance of thunderstorms throughout Tuesday.
"This rain will continue to cause hazardous road conditions, and increase the chance of mudslides and flooding throughout the city," Crowley said.
In response to the storm, the Los Angeles Fire Department added more helicopter pilots, swift-water rescue, community emergency response and urban search and rescue teams, as well as command and dispatch staff to assist more than 1,000 firefighters already on duty. Crowley said the department will maintain an augmented resource deployment.
The chief said the LAFD responded to 307 mudslides and 35 incidents of buildings requiring inspection due to mudslides and slope failures. Five buildings have been red tagged and seven buildings have been yellow tagged, she added.
"Even as we may see the rains subside over the next few hours, the water-soaked hillsides will continue to pose a mudslide threat," Crowley said. "If you live in a hillside area, stay informed on the conditions and please follow any evacuation warnings or orders."
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported said overnight data indicated that approximately 7,011 customers were without power, while 53,595 customers have already had their power restored.
The Department of Public Works reported 257 calls for service regarding fallen trees and branches, 159 reports of potholes and 875 catch basins and stormwater conveyance systems that have been cleared of debris.
Crowley reminded residents not to approach fallen power lines, and if they see one, to call 911 immediately.
"As we look into the passing of the storm in the near future, the city's Emergency Operations Center will turn into the recovery phase. Damage assessments will be made, and all the city departments will continue to coordinate efforts to address all service calls and mitigate all effects of this storm," Crowley said.
Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, emphasized that while the powerful storm has mostly passed, it's not a time for people to let their guard down.
"It will take very little additional rain to increase already flooded areas with more flooding, landslides, mudslides and other debris flow," Cohen said. "Everyone needs to be at a high state of readiness."
The rain was expected to taper off into the night and be gone by Wednesday.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said it was the "right call" to keep schools open, citing campuses as safe places for students where they could be provided with warm food.
The superintendent touted a "successful school day" Monday, with about 90% of teachers reporting to work, as well as 91% of classified personnel, including 90% of bus drivers.
More than 1,000 bus drivers went out in the storm, picked up students and dropped them off safely at campuses, and only one bus broke down, according to Carvalho. He said the average delay was no greater than 30 minutes for all routes, with the exception of one bus that experienced a 90-minute delay.
Carvalho said the district expected low attendance, and only about 63% of students went to school. Many parents, especially essential workers, had to send their children to school, he added.