With several days of rain, Los Angeles County has captured 717 million gallons of stormwater this week, according to the Department of Public Works.
Since Oct. 1, the county has captured roughly 5 billion gallons of stormwater, enough to meet the needs of 121,600 people, public works officials said.
Public works crews have been out in force during this week’s storms to ensure drainage and stormwater capture systems are working. Officials noted that more rain is still in the forecast, and they offered tips for the public to avoid trouble.
Authorities urged residents to avoid walking or driving in ponded or swift-moving water, noting that just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away a car. Motorists were also urged to slow down to avoid skidding on slick roads.
Public works officials also advised against driving on mountain roads during the storms, saying mud or rockslides can occur even when the rain has stopped.
People who see someone swept away by moving water should call 911, not attempt to perform a potentially dangerous rescue.
Anyone who spots storm-related damage, flooding, or traffic signal outages should contact the county’s 24-hour public works dispatch center at 800-675-HELP (4357).
