USGS-landslides.20060103T173359 pgori@usgs.gov 20060103T173359.000Z Actual Alert Public en-US Geo Flash Floods and Debris Flows Expected Moderate Possible Paula Gori National Weather Service issues Flash Flood Watches and Warnings for Burned Areas in So. CA Between 3:16 am on Friday December 30, 2005 and 1:35 pm Monday January 2, 2006, the NWS issued Flash Flood Watches and Warnings for the recently burned areas in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties. Watches and Warnings were issued for the Gaviota, Topanga, Harvard, School Canyon, Gorman, Tovey, Pine, Crown Foothill, Piru, Simi, and Padua burned areas and indicated that these areas are susceptible to debris flows and flash floods. The Watches and Warnings were based on comparison of predicted and measured rainfall amounts with rainfall thresholds provided by the USGS. The final Flash Flood Watch was cancelled at 6:31 pm Monday January 2, 2006. What Can You Do If You Live Near A Recently Burned Area? Before a Storm: 1. Watch the patterns of storm-water drainage near your home, and note the places where runoff water converges, increasing flow in channels. These are areas to avoid during a storm. 2. Contact your local authorities to learn about the emergency-response and evacuation plans for your area. Develop your own emergency plan for your family or business. During a Storm: 1. If you are in an area that is susceptible to flooding or debris flow (or has experienced flooding or debris flow in the past), consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Remember that driving during heavy rainstorms can be hazardous. 2. Stay alert and stay awake! Many debris-flow and flash-flood fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Listen to the radio for warnings of intense rainfall. NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards tone alert will let you know of hazards in your area. Be aware that intense bursts of rain may be particularly dangerous, especially after longer periods of heavy rainfall. 3. If you are near a stream or a channel, listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of flowing mud or debris may precede larger flows. Be alert for any sudden increases or decreases in water flow and for a change from clear to muddy water. Such changes may indicate debris-flow activity upstream, so be prepared to move quickly. Don't delay! Save yourself, not your belongings. 4. Keep in mind that during flash floods and debris flows water may rise much faster and much higher that it would if the watershed was not burned. 5. Be particularly alert when driving. Bridges may be washed out, and culverts overtopped. Do not cross flooding streams!! Turn Around, Don't Drown ®! Embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landsliding. Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of debris flow and flash floods. http://landslides.usgs.gov/research/wildfire,http://nhss.cr.usgs.gov/ Paula Gori, pgori@usgs.gov, 703 648-6707 Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties in CA