By Mary O’KEEFE

The latest storm that made its way through California brought a lot of rain and a lot of flooding especially in central and northern California.  Several piers near Santa Cruz collapsed due to high surf, tens of thousands of residents and businesses lost power and unfortunately there have been at least six reported deaths due to the last two severe storms that has drenched the state.

A state of emergency was proclaimed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday in anticipation of the severe storm.

“California is mobilizing to keep people safe from the impacts of the incoming storm,” Governor Newsom stated on Wednesday. “This state of emergency will allow the state to respond quickly as the storm develops and support local officials in their ongoing response.” 

The storm hit Southern California hard as well, but also brought much-needed rain to Crescenta Valley and the surrounding areas.

According to NOAA about three inches fell in the CV and foothill area due to the last storm, and the next storm is expected to bring even more rain.

This next storm is expected to come in Monday night and continue through Tuesday morning, according to Ryan Kittell, NOAA meteorologist in Oxnard.

“It is [expected] to be wetter than the one we just had, about 50% more,” he said.

“This looks to be a very powerful storm,” added David Sweet, meteorologist at NOAA in Oxnard.

As of Saturday, it appears there will be about a 30% chance of rain on Sunday morning. This small amount of rainfall will be the opening show for the big storm.

“Monday the next system approaches, Monday night into Tuesday,” Sweet said.

The Sunday system, which will have moved a bit to the east, will then be forced back west, Sweet said.

“Tuesday is the main period [of expected] rainfall,” he said.

He added this is expected to be the biggest storm this season, with five to eight inches of  rain in the foothills.

Like with the storm last week the concerns are the burn scar areas including the areas of the Fish Fire in Duarte and Lake Fire in Lake Hughes. However there are other concerns including small stream flooding and the flooding of roadways.

Sweet said it is not expected that the LA River would face the same threat of main stream flooding like those areas in Ventura County like the Santa Clarita River.

“We are definitely concerned about coastal flooding,” he said. “[We have issued] another round of high surf advisories.”

The surf is not expected to be as high as with the last storm, which saw waves up to 16 feet in Ventura County.

Wind gusts of up to 40-plus mph are expected.  Snow levels are expected to be at 7,000 feet and  extend down possibly to 5,000 feet by the end of the storm.

“Looks like there will be a break in terms of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, but we could be [looking] at another storm next weekend,” he added.

Sandbags are available at several areas including Glendale where there is sandbag and sand at:

Bags without sand can be found at most Glendale fire stations.

Los Angeles County

In the CV area sandbags and sand are available at LA County Fire stations 63, 74 and 66; however, it is advised to contact them before going to make certain they have sand.

Most fire stations in LA County have sandbags but not all have sand.

According  the City of La Cañada Flintridge website:

The City of La Cañada Flintridge has sandbags available at Fire Station 19 at 1729 Foothill Blvd. and Fire Station 82 at 352 Foothill. Sand and sandbags are available at Fire Camp 2 at 4810 Oak Grove. In addition, the City also provides sand and sandbags on Highrim Road at the top of Ocean View Boulevard.

City of Los Angeles including Sunland/Tujunga and Sun Valley areas:

LA City Fire Stations have empty sandbags. Those fire stations with sand include:

Sunland / Shadow Hills – Fire Station 24, 9411 Wentworth Street

Sunland / Tujunga – Council District 2 Office, 7747 Foothill Blvd. (at the rear). Bags available at adjacent fire stations.

Sun Valley / La Tuna Canyon – Fire Station 77, 9224 Sunland Blvd.

Sylmar – Sylmar Recreation Center, adjacent to Fire Station 91, 14430 Polk Street. Bags at fire station.

Northridge – Fire Station 70, 9861 Reseda Blvd.

Pacoima – Fire Station 98, 13035 Van Nuys Blvd.

From the City of Burbank website

If residents need sandbags for the upcoming rainy season, the City recommends stocking up at local home improvement stores or online retailers.  If there is rain in the forecast, and sandbags were unavailable elsewhere, Burbank residents and businesses may receive up to 25 sandbags (with proof of residency and while supplies last).  The sandbags will be available 48 hours prior to a likely storm event between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and weekends if storms are imminent. They can be picked up at Public Works Field Services, 124 S. Lake St.