A major rainstorm is forecasted for Southern California, with severe debris flow risks in wildfire-affected areas. When hills lack vegetation, rain can lead to erosion and hazardous mudslides. Post-fire, the soil becomes repellent to water, causing it to run off and gather debris, enhancing the threat. Experts indicate that the two to five years following a wildfire are critical regarding debris flows, emphasizing the need for preparedness among residents in susceptible zones as intense rainfall approaches.
The risks of debris flows are acute in areas where wildfires have stripped vegetation, making slopes vulnerable to erosion, with the first two years being critical.
Expert Jason Kean explains how water struggles to penetrate the soil following a fire, leading to rapid runoff that turns into dangerous debris flows.
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