Parts of California that have been devastated by wildfires are in desperate need of rain, but that rain could cause even more problems. AccuWeather's Damien Lodes explains why.
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00:00After a once-in-a-generation wildfire impacted Southern California, locations both downhill and downstream from the burned areas are going to be very susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows, especially those areas near steep terrain.
00:15Rainfall that would normally be absorbed will unfortunately run off extremely quickly after these wildfires.
00:21As burned soil, that can actually be as water repellent as pavement.
00:26And as a result, much less rainfall is required to produce flash flooding conditions.
00:31As water runs downhill through these burned areas, it can also create major erosion as it picks up large amounts of ash, of sand, of silt, rocks, and even burned vegetation like trees.
00:43The force of this rushing water and debris can also damage or even destroy things like culverts, bridges, roadways, and even buildings that were left standing after the fires, even miles away from the burned area.
00:57When the rain returns this weekend, do not wait for a flash flood warning in order to take steps to protect life and property.
01:05Rain that develops over the burned area may begin to produce flash flooding and debris flows before a warning can even be issued.
01:12So if you are in an area that is vulnerable to flooding and debris flow, plan in advance and move away from the area because there may be very little time to react once the rain moves in over the weekend.
01:24And here's the latest projection on when we're expected to see that rainfall.
01:28We'll see rain starting on Saturday and it'll last throughout the day on Sunday.
01:32It'll even last throughout the day on Monday.
01:34So I know what you're thinking, finally getting some rainfall to these burned areas, but unfortunately this much rainfall will create that chance of flash flooding and also runoff.
01:43So we will be watching this very carefully as we head into early next week.