Floods and landslides are a growing concern as fire-scarred Los Angeles prepares for its first significant rain of the winter. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers visited areas devastated by the Palisades fire on Friday to determine the “scale and scope” of the cleanup effort. The National Weather Service office in Oxnard warned of a “high enough threat” to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Comedians, including Adam Carolla, have been affected by the fires and are finding ways to make light of the situation. Carolla’s Malibu home was destroyed in the fire, but he made it out safely. He and other comedians are using their platform to raise money and awareness for those affected by the disasters.
As authorities urge residents not to sift through debris at fire-ravaged properties, experts warn that hazardous items can be present, including batteries, ammunition, propane tanks, and pesticides. Harmful chemicals can also be present in the ash, which can be found in charred neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom and other politicians are visiting affected areas to offer support and aid. President Donald Trump also expressed his support for the victims and promised to work with local officials to rebuild and help those affected.
The fires have also had a significant impact on the child-care industry, with hundreds of facilities forced to shut down due to ash, debris, and power outages. Many families are now struggling to find alternative care for their children.
The estimated cost of the damage is now over $250 billion, making it one of the most costly natural disasters in U.S. history. Rain is expected to bring additional risks, including landslides and flooding, which have already begun to occur in some areas.
The fires have also highlighted issues with the city’s evacuation alert system and emergency preparedness. Los Angeles County officials have been criticized for missing opportunities to improve the city’s water infrastructure, which experts say could have helped contain the fires.
As the area continues to recover, some policyholders are having trouble accessing claims advances from insurance companies, prompting an urgent prompt from the state’s insurance commissioner. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also lost a family member in the fires.