California Faces Dual Threat of Wildfires and Post-Fire Flood Risks

As devastating wildfires burn across Los Angeles County, upcoming rainstorms raise concerns about flash floods and debris flows in affected areas.

The Palisades, Eaton, and Hughes fires have collectively burned tens of thousands of acres, destroyed homes, and claimed at least 27 lives, with containment efforts ongoing.
Upcoming rainstorms are expected to bring up to 1.5 inches of rain in some areas, raising fears of flash flooding and debris flows in wildfire burn scars, particularly in Los Angeles County.
Officials are preparing flood control measures, including distributing sandbags and reinforcing hillsides, to mitigate potential damage from post-fire runoff and landslides.
The fires have caused significant economic and environmental damage, with early estimates placing potential losses at $50 billion, making this one of the costliest wildfire disasters in U.S. history.
Experts cite extreme drought, dry vegetation, and strong winds as key contributors to the fires, while climate patterns like La Niña are expected to prolong dry conditions in the region.