Evacuations Ordered in Los Angeles Amid Unprecedented October Storm

Tue Oct 14 2025 14:06:54 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Residents in wildfire-affected communities of Los Angeles face evacuation as a powerful October storm threatens to unleash heavy rain, high winds, and mudslides.

Authorities have ordered the evacuation of about 115 homes in wildfire-scarred neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Mandeville Canyon as an unusual October storm approaches Southern California. The storm is anticipated to bring up to 4 inches of rain, with risks of mudslides and tornadoes. With over 16,000 households experiencing power outages as of Monday, the Los Angeles Fire Department is on high alert to respond to potential emergencies.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Some homes were ordered evacuated in wildfire-scarred Los Angeles neighborhoods as Southern California was hit by a rare October storm that was expected to pummel the region with heavy rain, high winds, and possible mudslides.

“We’re very concerned about the weather,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said during a news conference Monday night, explaining that strike teams, rescue teams, and helicopters were all ready to respond.

The evacuations covered about 115 homes mostly in Pacific Palisades and Mandeville Canyon, both struck by a massive inferno in January that killed more than 30 people and destroyed over 17,000 homes and buildings in Los Angeles County. Wildfires can leave hillsides without vegetation to hold soil in place, making it easier for the terrain to loosen during storms.

Bass and other officials warned residents across the region to remain alert and stay indoors. The worst was expected to begin early Tuesday and carry through the afternoon, with over 16,000 already reported without power as of Monday night, according to PowerOutage.us.

The storm could result in up to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) of rain in some areas, with the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office describing it as a “rare and very potent storm system.”

Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, stated that the storm could even bring a couple of tornadoes, highlighting its unpredictability.

“The nature of this system is such that we cannot be certain about exactly when and where these impacts will strike, the exact details until right before they occur at the earliest,” he said.

Teams from the Los Angeles Fire Department had started patrolling the area, and a section of state Route 27, beginning at the Pacific Coast Highway, was closed in preparation for the storm. The weather service also warned of high winds that could knock down trees and power lines.

The local community is facing anxiety from past experiences, as torrential rains in February led to devastating debris flows and mudslides in areas affected by January fires, including a specific location where homes were buried in mud.

Further north, up to 3 feet (1 meter) of mountain snow is predicted for parts of the Sierra Nevadas, as the storm continues to develop.

In Tempe, Arizona, heavy rains caused significant damage after a microburst on Monday. Uprooted trees and downed power lines led to power outages across thousands of homes.

Widespread damage and ongoing threats from natural disasters have prompted officials to prepare for a long recovery ahead as winter approaches. As concerns mount, communities are reminded of their resilience in the face of these challenges.