Recently Los Angeles Firefighters encouraged citizens to Prepare for Springtime Flooding, just before a severe storm powered down on Los Angeles. As most know, this rainfall was so intense that the LAFD Handled the Busiest Day of the Year, Sunday March 20, 2011. Firefighters experienced an increase in various incidents such debris flow, flooding, electrical wires down, trees that fell onto cars and structures in addition to increased traffic collisions. Since that week, many are still asking what some of the more significant or unusual weather related incidents were, that firefighters responded to. Here is a condensed and basic report of just three of those incidents...


On Sunday, March 20th, 2011 at 6:00 PM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 2 Brush Patrols, all under the direction of Battalion Chief John Miller responded to a Debris Flow incident at 4855 North Regalo Road in Woodland Hills.

Firefighters arrived to find mud encroaching upon a retaining wall of a Single Family Dwelling. Preliminary reports stated nearly a dozen homes were evacuated displacing upwards of 30 individuals. Firefighters rapidly surveyed the area and ensured the families were taken to safety. Neighborhood Fire Station 84, located at 21050 Burbank Boulevard in Woodland Hills, quickly opened its Community Room to shelter the displaced residences. The following day, only four structures remained tagged and only seven to ten individuals remained displaced. Those homes were modified from Red Tagged to yellow, however the back yards remained Red Tagged due to the amount of mud and the potential for danger. Firefighters kept a close eye on the affected area in the days following. The department of Building and Safety along with firefighters returned throughout the week to evaluate the conditions due to additional rainfall.


On Sunday, March 20th, 2011 at 8:30 PM, 1 Company of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance, and 1 Swift Water Rescue Team responded to a Swift Water Rescue at 6400 North Woodley Avenue in Van Nuys.

A man contacted 9-1-1 and stated he was homeless, and trapped in Balboa Park due to rapidly raising water. When Firefighters arrived the water was deep enough for members of LAFD’s elite Swift Water Rescue Team to use an inflatable boat to reach a 51 year-old male. He was quickly recovered, treated medically and transported to a local hospital in fair condition.


On Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 10:05 AM, 2 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team all responded to a Debris Flow incident at 4567 North White Oak Place in Encino Hills.

As the deluge of rain continued, an occupant of a Single Family Dwelling called 9-1-1 and stated that mud was coming down the hill and into her property. Firefighters safely relocated the owners due to mud and debris sliding down the saturated hillside and against the residence, rendering it unsafe. No nearby structures were reported damaged. Firefighters then notified the department of Building and Safety and requested a grading inspector to assist evaluating the area. Fortunately no one was injured.


Let’s see what this week will bring…

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department