Friday, February 14, 2025

Storm Pummels Pasadena and Altadena, Triggers Mudslides and Debris Flows

CITY NEWS SERVICE and PASADENA NOW

Officials urge continued vigilance because mud/debris flows can still occur several days after the rain stops

A destructive storm is making its way out of Southern California Friday, but not before flooding streets, neighborhoods and freeways, causing crashes and congestion, and leading to evacuation warnings and orders in recent burn areas.

Heavy rain pummeled most of the Southland Thursday and intensified late in the day and evening, sparking flooding and mud flows in Altadena and Pasadena.

“We survived the Eaton fire, and now we have flash floods,” lamented one X follower who lives in Kinneloa Mesa.

“We did have moderate mud/debris flow on Park Vista where mandatory evacuations had already occurred, and a few other residents voluntarily left after the slide between two homes.  There will be clean-up this morning on streets especially near foothills of Upper Hastings Ranch but no other major storm-related incidents we’re aware of yet,” Pasadena City spokesperson Lisa Derderian told Pasadena Now early Friday.

Friday, February 14, 2025

Boys & Girls Club Opens Doors to Fire-Displaced Odyssey Charter School Students

Students resume classes after six-week disruption from Eaton Canyon blaze

The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena has transformed its two main clubhouses into temporary classrooms for Odyssey Charter School students, providing educational continuity for 840 children displaced by the Eaton Canyon fire.

The partnership, announced February 13, enables students to resume their education after a six-week interruption caused by the destruction of one campus and the other being deemed unsafe and uninhabitable.

“We’ve been 100% focused on how to help Odyssey get kids back with their teachers,” said Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena Chief Executive Officer Lisa Cavelier. “The Eaton Fire hit before these kids returned from their winter break, so their time out of school turned into six weeks. We felt we had to take action to help them settle back into a safe, educational routine, so we opened our doors. It’s the right thing to do. Though admittedly cramped, the important thing is that the children and staff are together.”

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Los Angeles County Seeks Rental Units for Families Displaced by Eaton Fire

County urgently seeks one- and two-bedroom units within 10-mile radius of fire zone

Los Angeles County officials have launched an immediate initiative to secure rental housing for families displaced by the Eaton Fire. The Los Angeles County Development Authority is working alongside the American Red Cross to identify available one- and two-bedroom rental units within a 10-mile radius of the Eaton Fire boundary, with properties in Pasadena, Glendale, and Monrovia especially needed.

“We have an immediate need to support wildfire survivors who have been displaced from their homes and want to remain close to their communities,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “Many of these families are struggling to rebuild their lives while ensuring stability for their children. I urge property owners with available units to partner with us and provide a lifeline for those in need.”

Displaced renters will be responsible for covering rental costs similar to any other private market tenant.

“Property owners are the key to helping the County’s impacted residents start to rebuild their lives,”

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Los Angeles County Opens Emergency Food Aid Applications After January Wildfires

Disaster CalFresh program provides one month of benefits to affected residents not currently receiving food assistance

Los Angeles County began accepting applications through Feb. 19 for emergency food assistance for those impacted by January’s devastating wildfires.

The temporary food aid initiative, known as Disaster CalFresh, is available to individuals and families who lived or worked in fire-impacted areas and suffered losses from the disaster.

Recipients will receive one month’s worth of benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card, which can be used to purchase food at authorized retail stores throughout the County.

The program, federally designated as the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), became available after a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance and restoration of commercial food distribution.

Current CalFresh recipients affected by the disaster may qualify for supplemental disaster benefits, while new applicants could receive a full month’s allotment of emergency food assistance.

To qualify, households must have purchased or planned to purchase food during the disaster period and experienced at least one hardship: loss of income,

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Evacuation Warnings Issued in Altadena and Pasadena as Major Storm Bears Down on Southland

Ten Pasadena homes issued mandatory evacuation orders

With a potentially dangerous storm bearing down on the Southland, evacuation warnings will take effect in multiple areas Thursday amid fears that steady downpours could spark flooding, mudslides and debris flows.

Much of the northern portions of Altadena and the Kinneloa area of Pasadena are under Evacuation Warnings which were to take effect at 7 a.m. this morning and remain in force until 2 p.m. on Friday.

Pasadena police and Altadena Sheriff’s deputies went door to door Wednesday evening in affected areas issuing evacuation warnings.

Fire officials said specific homes considered to be at high risk will be subject to mandatory evacuation orders.

Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian said 10 homes in Pasadena were issued mandatory evacuation orders.

The brunt of the storm — which began with generally light rainfall across the region Wednesday — is expected to hit the Los Angeles area around mid-afternoon Thursday,

Thursday, February 13, 2025

LA County Revamps Emergency Alert System After Wildfire Failures

Officials detail multi-layered notification approach while federal investigation of cellular providers continues

Los Angeles County officials outlined improvements to their emergency notification system Wednesday, describing a refined strategy that emphasizes targeted in-person warnings alongside enhanced mass alerts following widespread failures during recent wildfires.

“During the entire wildfire event, we were using our opt-in program successfully, and then it was being bolstered with the wireless alerts from the state,” said Kevin McGowan, Director of the County’s Office of Emergency Management.

The County resolved internal alert system issues through partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), though McGowan acknowledged ongoing concerns about service providers.

“I can’t guarantee that other organizations infrastructure, like our cell service providers have completely corrected their issues. That’s their responsibility,” he said.

Representatives Mike Garcia and Congressman Whiteside have requested a federal investigation into major carriers’ performance, according to County officials, since telecommunications oversight occurs at the federal level.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

LA County Deploys Unprecedented Storm Runoff Protection System Ahead of Major Storm

Officials brace for most intense rainfall of recent atmospheric river series with unprecedented environmental protective measures

Los Angeles County crews have rushed to implement extensive and unprecedented measures to protect Altadena and Pasadena from flooding, mudslides, and debris flows as the region faces its third and most intense atmospheric river storm this week.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch through Thursday evening, with the heaviest rainfall expected Thursday afternoon into Friday.

The Eaton Fire burn zone devastation creates a situation fraught with potential dangers and damage.

“This is unusual. We don’t … want any debris to end up in the streets. We do use the streets to drain the area clear flow,” Mark Pestrella, Director of Public Works and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, said at livestreamed meeting early Wednesday morning.

The County has installed thousands of linear miles of K-rails and hundreds of thousands of sandbags in a temporary system across burn scar areas,

Thursday, February 13, 2025

L.A. County ‘One-Stop Rebuilding Shop’ Opens, Serving Eaton Fire Survivors

New Center streamlines recovery services for property owners affected by wildfire

Los Angeles County has launched a comprehensive rebuilding assistance Center that opened its doors this week to help property owners affected by the Eaton Fire navigate the complex recovery process. The new facility, co-located at the Altadena Disaster Recovery Center, consolidates multiple County services to streamline the rebuilding of destroyed houses, businesses, and damaged structures.

“The rebuilding process is complex and can feel overwhelming,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “This one-stop shop is a helpful hub where property owners can access resources, guidance, and expedited services from multiple County agencies all in one convenient space. I encourage Eaton wildfire survivors to drop by or make an appointment as soon as possible.”

The Center offers no-cost consultations with building and safety officials from Los Angeles County’s Public Works, Fire, and Regional Planning Departments to ensure compliance with building regulations.

Services include assistance with rebuilding permits,

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Love, Sealed and Certified: Same-Day Valentine’s Day Weddings On Offer

Hundreds of couples will say “I do” in same-day ceremonies at county offices

The scent of fresh roses will mixed with the crisp and rainy February air as couples, some clutching marriage license applications and others adjusting last-minute boutonnières, line up outside the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Norwalk headquarters on Friday.

For one day only, this Valentine’s Day, the county offers same-day marriage licenses and civil ceremonies at four locations—Norwalk, East Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Van Nuys.

While advance appointments are required at other registrar locations, couples can walk in, fill out the necessary paperwork, and be legally wed in the span of an afternoon. Couples were encouraged to complete the online marriage license application beforehand to streamline the process.

The annual same-day Valentine’s Day marriage service, operated by the county clerk’s office, is a streamlined yet intimate process for couples eager to make the date official.

The cost is straightforward: a public marriage license runs $91,

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

LA County: Prepare For And Stay Safe During Rainy Weather

The National Weather Service has issued a high-risk alert for significant road flooding and burn scar debris flows in areas recently affected by fires. During storms, there is increased potential for flash floods, falling rocks and mud and debris flows. Everyone should be aware of the weather forecasts and associated impacts where they live, work, and play and take steps to be prepared and stay safe. Use the resources below to prepare for and stay safe during rainy weather.

Law enforcement personnel are in the field notifying residents of identified at-risk properties in recent burn areas that they are under evacuation order beginning at 7 am on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Please follow all instructions if you are contacted by law enforcement or receive an evacuation order flyer on your door.

Evacuation warnings are likely to be issued in areas that could be cut off from roadway access due to mud and debris flows. Have an emergency plan in place, keep emergency supplies on hand,