Los Angeles Officials Prepared for Storm Hazards

The city conducted disaster drills to address potential mudslides caused by past fire scars in the Palisades.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Safety

Heavy concrete k-rails lined up along a steep, fire-damaged hillside in the Pacific Palisades, reflecting disaster preparedness infrastructure. — Los Angeles city crews are reinforcing slopes in the Pacific Palisades with concrete barriers to mitigate potential mudslide risks following recent fire damage. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The City of Los Angeles has launched intensive disaster preparations in the Palisades to mitigate risks from potential mudslides and debris flows. These efforts follow significant burn scars left by fires that occurred in January 2025.

Why it matters

Officials are concerned that above-normal rainfall expected this winter could trigger dangerous debris flows in areas previously scorched by fire. Proactive maintenance and resident preparedness are central to the city's strategy to protect high-risk neighborhoods.

The National Weather Service forecasts a 50% to 60% probability of above-normal rainfall between December 2026 and February 2027. This increased precipitation follows regional burn scars from January 2025.

The players

City of Los Angeles

This municipal authority is coordinating emergency response and infrastructure mitigation efforts across the region.

National Weather Service

This federal agency provides meteorological data and hazard forecasting to assist local governments in disaster planning.

The details

City agencies are currently reconstructing retaining walls and installing k-rails while assessing debris basins to manage runoff. Crews are also clearing dead trees to further reduce the risk of infrastructure damage during potential storm events.

January 2025: Wildfires caused burn scars in the Palisades region.
September 24, 2026: The city hosted an emergency preparedness webinar.
September 2026: A high-surf advisory was issued for the coastline.
December 2026 – February 2027: Period for forecast above-normal rainfall.

Seasonal Patterns

This disaster drill follows the established communication protocols set by the NotifyLA emergency alert system to reach residents during active threats. These localized preparations mirror historical efforts to stabilize terrain that has been compromised by fire damage during past winter cycles.

Residents are urged to clean gutters, repair roof leaks, and prepare go bags to improve household safety. Free sandbags are currently available for pickup at local fire stations to help mitigate potential water damage.

The takeaway

Proactive property maintenance and participation in city-led drills remain the most effective ways for residents to reduce their personal risk during the rainy season. Stay informed by signing up for official updates through municipal channels to receive real-time hazard warnings.