Los Angeles, Southern California Face Worst Storm of Week

Jan. 21, 2010 — -- If you live near Los Angeles, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, then you've heard the warnings. People who live in canyons prone to mudslides have been told to evacuate, and those who choose to say were asked to sign waivers releasing authorities from responsibility for their safety.

"Please, please, cooperate and obey the lawful orders of your police department," said Charlie Beck, chief of the Los Angeles police department.

California was hit today with the fourth -- and perhaps worst -- in a series of storms that have come in from the Pacific Ocean since last weekend. Up to 3 inches of rain may fall before it all ends. Since Sunday, the National Weather Service has already measured more than four inches of rain in several inland locations. There have been waves of 15 to 20 feet along the Pacific coast.

Late today acting California Gov. Edmund Brown Jr. declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Francisco and Siskiyou counties, giving law enforcement extra funding and powers to protect people if needed.

Police and emergency managers continued to worry about communities such as La Canada Flintridge, where wildfires last year had burned away the brush that anchors soil along canyon walls and raised the risk of mudslides. All told, they have ordered residents of more than 1,000 homes to evacuate, and said they cannot be responsible if people don't leave.

"I'm not going to roll the dice. There's no reason to do that," said Barry Powell of Glendale, Calif., who decided to get out of harm's way. "You've got lives involved."

But more than a quarter of those who got evacuation orders decided to ride the storm out.

"I feel safe. I've been through it before. We're stocked up. My wife is in a wheelchair, she's disabled, so moving her is like moving a hospital, and I'm just not up to that," said Jack Wonderlick of La Canada Flintridge.

"We've been here for 100 years. We might as well stay a little bit longer," said Frances Tucker, who lives nearby.