Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s neighbourhood finds itself in the crosshairs of a “life-threatening” situation as the greater Los Angeles area braces for an imminent and potentially catastrophic weather event.
Flash flooding and landslides are set to hit California, with warnings issued for the Santa Monica Mountains, Hollywood Hills, and surrounding areas, including Santa Barbara, where the royal couple resides.
Prince Harry and Meghan faced the same issue last month when flash flooding warnings threatened Montecito and trapped dozens of people in cars when a super storm ripped through California.
This new ominous forecast comes from the US National Weather Service, which has raised alarms about a “particularly dangerous situation” unfolding due to heavy rainfall.
They issued a flood warning on Sunday which read: “Dangerous and life-threatening flooding is possible with this event. Extensive roadway flooding is likely. Significant debris flows are possible in and around recent burn scars. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks.”
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Swain warned of the potential for “torrential” storms to cause flooding in highly populated areas, including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. The concern is amplified by the fact that these regions are already saturated from previous rainfall.
“There is a significant risk of major flooding developing,” Swain stated, emphasising that mountainous areas around Los Angeles could see up to 20 inches of rainfall. Downtown Los Angeles is expected to receive up to six inches of rain, posing the risk of overflow in major watersheds.
Santa Barbara and San Bernardino counties are now assigned the “highest possible risk rating for flash flooding,” with the danger persisting from into Monday and possibly Tuesday.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown expressed the severity of the situation, stating, “This storm is predicted to be one of the largest and most significant in our county’s history.” The goal, he emphasised, is to navigate through it without any fatalities or serious injuries.
As a precautionary measure, evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for mountain and canyon areas of Monterey, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties. In response to the looming threat, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for the region.
Santa Barbara remains on flood watch until Tuesday, with the National Weather Service also issuing a wind advisory. The advisory warns of gusty winds, making driving difficult and posing a threat to unsecured objects.
The advisory further notes that rainfall totals of three to six inches are expected, with six to 12 inches likely in south and southwest-facing foothills and mountains. Rainfall rates of 0.50 to one inch per hour are predicted during the peak of the event, potentially leading to unusually high three to six-hour rain totals.
As Southern California faces this imminent weather crisis, residents, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are urged to stay vigilant and follow evacuation orders to ensure their safety amid the impending deluge.
