LOS ANGELES (AP) — California got some badly needed precipitation Thursday from a fast-moving storm that forecasters said would be followed by heavier rains and snow and the possibility of flooding and mud flows into communities near areas scarred by wildfires.
Despite sunny blue skies behind the first storm, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for about 1,000 homes in two of Los Angeles' eastern foothill suburbs beneath nearly 2,000 acres of steep mountain slopes left bare by a January fire.
For days, the cities of Glendora and Azusa have made extensive preparations. Residents built barriers of wood and sandbags to keep debris flows in streets and out of homes.
In Glendora, Dana Waldusky, 22, hurried to evacuate the family home, which backs up against the burned area. She, her parents and sister made sure they had important documents, photos, medicines and their toothbrushes packed.
"We have an hour to get evacuated," she said. "We're just boarding up all our doors.
"Last time, at the fire, we had 15 minutes, so this time we made sure we were prepared," she said.
The home survived the fire, which firefighters stopped 15 feet from their back fence.
