Evacuation orders have been issued Sunday for La Tuna Canyon Road near Sun Valley and Santa Maria Road north of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, areas considered at high risk for mud or debris flows during a multi-day storm expected to begin Sunday.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is tentatively set to announce the La Tuna Canyon evacuation during a storm update scheduled for 8 a.m Sunday. It will include the area bounded by Horse Haven Street to the North, Martindale Avenue to the East, Primrose to the South and Ledge Avenue to the West, according to a city statement.
In addition, the Los Angeles Police Department plans to implement a security plan for the evacuation area and is preparing to close roads from Wheatland Avenue to the Foothill (210) Freeway.
“Keeping people safe is our top priority, and as we continue to monitor the storm’s progress, it is now clear that some residents of La Tuna Canyon Road must be prepared for an evacuation order,” said Bass, who has urged all Angelenos to stay home during the storm and to take other common sense precautions. “We will continue to keep all Angelenos updated, especially those in high-risk areas.”
A wireless emergency alert targeting those in the affected area has already been issued along with phone calls from the city’s Emergency Management Department, officials said.
“The City urges residents in this area to prepare for an Evacuation Order that is likely to be issued at 8 a.m. on Sunday, February 4,” a city statement said. “The area subject to the Warning and likely Order is at an increased risk of significant flooding, mudslides, and sediment flow because of the burn scars left by the Land Fire that occurred in 2022.
“LA County Department of Public Works (LACDPW) has designated this area “Phase 3” (the highest phase), which, with very heavy rain, would bring significant flooding and mudflow/sediment deposition within McDonald Creek, Del Arroyo Drive, and La Tuna Canyon Road. LACDPW suggests that roughly 28,000 cubic yards of debris flow could occur. At this point, about 50 properties, including homes and businesses, could be covered by an evacuation order.”
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Evacuation Order for Santa Maria Road went into effect at 6 p.m. Saturday and will remain in place through 6 p.m. Tuesday.
“Remaining in this evacuated area could cause a risk to personal safety and limit the ability of medical or rescue personnel to get to you,” a department statement said. “Those living in the Evacuation Order Area must evacuate immediately to ensure their safety and that of their loved ones. Remember to gather your medications, pets, and important documents, and leave immediately.”
Those evacuating from La Tuna Canyon Road will have the option of using temporary emergency shelters at:
— Sunland: Sunland Senior Citizen Center (125 Beds), 8640 Fenwick St., and
— Lake View Terrace: Lake View Terrace Recreation Center (225 Beds), 11075 Foothill Blvd.
The Los Angeles Animal Services Department has identified shelters for large animals at:
— Lake View Terrace: Hansen Dam Horse Park (250 stalls available), 11127 Orcas Ave., and
— Burbank, LA Equestrian Center (200 stalls available), 480 Riverside Drive.
Additional information and news alerts are available at LAFD.org/news or emergency.lacity.gov.
To assist Santa Maria Road evacuees, the American Red Cross has established an evacuation center at ONE Generation in Reseda,18255 Victory Blvd., 800-675-5799.
Pets and other animals can be taken to the Agoura Animal Care Center in Agoura, 29525 Agoura Road.
More information and emergency alerts are available at @readylacounty, @nwslosangeles or the website lacounty.gov/emergency.