Heavy rain, mountain snow, and closed roads can turn an ordinary winter storm into a serious problem. Here’s what mountain residents should take care of before the weather arrives.Winter is coming to Southern California’s mountains, and the developing El Niño has given mountain residents another reason to prepare.
A wet winter can bring welcome snowpack and much-needed water to our forests. It can also bring flooded roads, debris flows, extended power outages, and enough snow to isolate entire neighborhoods.
Residents of Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Wrightwood, Idyllwild, and other mountain communities already know how quickly conditions can change. Those living below burned slopes or along steep canyon roads face additional hazards when heavy rain arrives.
The time to prepare is before the first major storm appears in the forecast.