This winter, Los Angeles County residents are caught in a dilemma: while desperately needing rain to alleviating drought conditions, they are increasingly wary of the hazards it poses following devastating fires. Michael Gessl worries about potential leaks in his burned neighborhood, while Marianne Hunter fears landslides exacerbated by precipitation. The recent history of extreme land movement, particularly following wet winters, heightens concern over rain, which could create mudslides or accelerate existing hillside instability, threatening homes and infrastructure.
"I don't want all the contents of my house to get wet and soggy," said Gessl, 75, who never evacuated and has been hunkered down inside his cold, dark Pacific Palisades house since the fire started on Jan. 7.
"L.A. needs the rain, obviously. All of Southern California does. However, rain here in any excessive amount is a problem," said Hunter, 75, whose house in Rancho Palos Verdes has not had heating since the gas was shut off last summer.
Back-to-back wet winters triggered last year's extreme land movement that warped roads, cracked houses and transformed landscapes.
The paradox of Los Angeles County this winter: It is dangerously dry; yet, recent disasters have made people fear the effects of rain they know they desperately need.
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