LAFD Info on Recent Storm Activity...

Many of you have asked about the impact of recent storms in the greater Los
Angeles area on the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department...

To regularly receive the LAFD E-Newsletter, please visit:

http://www.lafd.org/info.htm

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RAIN STORM AND FLOODING
SOUTH LOS ANGELES AND WATTS
LAFD IMPACT...

Wednesday night, November 12, 2003

·        At approximately 1615 hours, a powerful storm settled over the
South Los Angeles, Watts, Lynwood and Compton area.
·        Approximately 5.2 inches of rain during a 2-3 hours period of time
·        Hundreds of vehicles were stalled in water up to four feet deep
·        Hundreds of individuals were trapped inside their vehicles, on top,
and in the water near their vehicles
·        Firefighters using their fire engines traversed the deep water in
intersections to rescue stranded victims
·        Firefighters and Paramedics responded to over 120 calls for help
during a three-hour period of time
·        Trapped victims stranded in water, wires down, flooding of
residents and businesses, telephone pole and transformer fires were types of
incidents
·        Numerous houses and apartments were flooded with mud and water
·        Flooding in the community of Watts was concentrated between
Wilmington and Compton Avenues, and 103rd Street and Imperial Hwy
·        Total number of emergency incidents during 24-hours period = 1637
·        Total incidents in Watts community in LA City = 199
·        Over 60 fire resources from throughout the City responded to the
area
·        Shelter was initially set up at Fire Station 65 at 103rd and
Compton for displaced residents
·        Shelter was expanded and moved to 111th and Compton in Watts
·        Shelter efforts were provided by LAFD, LAPD, Parks and Recreation,
L.A. County Sheriff, and Red Cross
·        LAFD, assisted by an LAPD bus, picked up 10 displaced people from
87th and Broadway and the Red Cross found them hotel rooms
·        Assistance to the community was coordinated with the Departments of
Emergency Preparedness, Recreation and Parks, General Services, Building and
Safety, and Public Works
·        Fire Station 33 in South Los Angeles is still without power the
following morning
·        Additional resources were deployed Thursday morning to patrol and
resolve water removal and flooding problems

# # #

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Paramedic
Public Information Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
LAFD Website: http://www.lafd.org