Last week, a rare October storm brought heavy rain and flooding to California, causing major disruptions in transportation and even triggering some evacuation orders. In the Bay Area, the South Bay was hit particularly hard. Firefighters and tow trucks had to pull cars out of multiple parts of San Jose, and many cars were stuck on various parts of Highway 880 due to the massive water buildup on the roads. In Los Angeles, heavy rains caused gridlock in multiple high traffic areas, especially in the San Fernando Valley. Overturned trucks on Highway Five caused a complete stoppage in transportation before the entire northbound lane was shut down due to the flooding. Futhermore, flash flood warnings were issued for areas of Napa County and Los Angeles County, both of which were affected by the recent wildfires.
These types of floods are especially dangerous after wildfires due to the presence of burn scars. After a wildfire, the soil in the affected area typically becomes more water repellent, and much of the original vegetation is burned away. Consequently, even a small amount of rain can bring devastating flash floods to the region. Areas with recent burn scars include Calistoga, which was affected by the Pickett Fire this year in August, as well as the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County in January. As a result, residents of these regions were notified to prepare for an evacuation if necessary.
As the planet heats up due to the rising carbon emissions, this destructive pattern of wildfires and then floods will continue. About 75% of California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfires have occurred since 2015; we will likely see that percentage increase in the upcoming years, and thus a subsequent increase in flash foods. In addition, our infrastructure is unprepared for climate change, as seen in the highway stoppages and urban flooding that prevented people from going to work. Our reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable, but the big oil companies will continue advocating for the destruction of our planet so long as profit can be made. There must be a complete transformation of how our society operates in order to build a sustainable world beyond fossil fuels. It’s up to us to build it!
