One of the wettest storms in Southern California history struck the coast in early February, leaving many residents wondering, what now? The storm carrying large amounts of rainfall via an atmospheric river caused more than 475 mudslides in the Los Angeles area alone. This catastrophic event dumped over half the season’s average rainfall in just two days. People are now grappling with the aftermath of California mudslide damage as homes, vehicles, and public roadways need immediate repair.
READ MORE: Drivers Should Prepare For Southern California Flooding
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says the situation is still dangerous in some areas. Places near hillsides are very saturated, and mudslides will be a significant concern over the next few days and weeks. These circumstances highlight the volatile environment residents are still exposed to. Local officials estimate 400 trees toppled over in Los Angeles and report seven fatalities. Deldar Legal offers our full support to families struggling with California mudslide damage, and our firm is available to help.
Historical Context
The recent mudslides follow a pattern of increasing environmental challenges for California, including previous atmospheric rivers and the devastating 2018 Montecito mudslide. These events cause immediate harm and pose long-term challenges to the state’s infrastructure, housing, and environmental management. Furthermore, the phenomenon known as El Niño could bring additional storms and the risk of further California mudslides.
Immediate California Mudslide Damage
The community’s response to this disaster has been swift, with city officials and meteorologists closely monitoring the situation. In an effort to mitigate the immediate impacts, Mayor Bass announces plans to seek federal aid, including emergency vouchers for homeless individuals and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance for those whose homes have been damaged.
As of the latest reports, several buildings have been deemed uninhabitable, with others tagged for restricted access. This damage assessment is only the beginning of a long recovery process that many residents will face. Down in San Diego, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a rare tornado warning on Feb. 6. Near the Hollywood Hills with multimillion-dollar homes, officials say floodwaters carried mud, rocks and household objects downhill with great force, leading to evacuations.
The storm approached many rain and wind records across the state, with downtown Los Angeles recording one of the wettest two-day stretches since recordkeeping began in the 1870s. Between 6 and 12 inches (15.2 and 30.5 centimeters) of rain fell over the Los Angeles area. So, what does this all mean? California mudslide and other natural disasters are a major threat to everyone, and this past week has shown that residents need to be prepared.
Legal Support
At Deldar Legal, we offer more than just legal representation. We provide comprehensive support services to help you through the recovery process. A California mudslide can take away possessions and damage property, but it also puts a psychological burden on families that ends up causing stress, anger, and uncertainty. Our goal is to ensure that you are not alone during this difficult time and that your rights are fully protected.
We can help you on your journey through legal issues and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Our clients mean more to us than settlement money and big returns, we want to help people rebuild their lives. A California mudslide can break items and damage property, but it can’t break your spirit when you have people fighting on your side. Contact us today and we will review your case free of charge when you call (844)335-3271!
Tagged with: emergency services, Natural Disasters, weather conditions
Posted in: Personal Injury