Beverly Hills and Southern California are drying out for a few days from the cold, rainy storm that passed through Southern California this week. It will be a short break, as two more systems are expected to move in to the area beginning this weekend. Heavy rain pounded the Southland on Jan. 10, causing localized flooding and debris
flows that forced closures of roads, freeways and even schools. The downpours dumped more than 10 inches of rain in some areas. About 5 inches of rain were recorded in Bel Air and Beverly Hills, according to the National Weather Service. The storm caused plenty of local disruption as well, including a downed tree in the Trousdale area on Jan. 10. Approximately 140 residences also lost power on the morning of Jan. 12. As of press time, power had not been restored.
Earlier in the week, mud flows, sliding rocks and fallen tree limbs hampered commutes on canyon roads, including Laurel, Coldwater and Benedict Canyons. A large boulder fell onto Malibu Canyon Road in the Santa Monica Mountains, forcing a closure. Topanga Canyon Boulevard in the Malibu area was also closed for a while. Though it has reopened, crews continue to clear mud and debris.
President Biden has signed an emergency declaration for the entire state of California, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide emergency resources. The Los Angeles City Council also approved nearly $1 million in funding to repair damaged areas, including a portion of Mulholland Drive. A section of the important roadway was closed temporarily between Summit Circle and Bowmont Drive. Repairs are expected to take three weeks and will cost $450,000.
In another important development, the Internal Revenue Service announced that due to the storms and a resulting federal emergency declaration, Southern California residents and business owners will have until May 15 to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. The one-month filing grace period is available to those who reside or have businesses in areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as qualifying for tax relief due to storms. Those areas include Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties.
With City News Service
