Hillsides are put on flood alert

GLENDALE — The Station fire burn area could get pounded with up to 6 inches of rain by Sunday, prompting flash-flood warnings and renewed fears of debris flows.

The National Weather Service on Friday warned hillside residents that flash flooding and debris flows were possible through Sunday.

The cold storm is expected to bring its heaviest rainfall this afternoon. Some mountain regions could also see wind gusts of up to 70 mph, while local winds will likely be closer to 35 mph, according to the weather service.

With the storm expected to stick around most of the weekend, local public works crews had already begun patrolling the hillsides Friday as the rain moved in.

Most foothill-area debris basins were empty or less than 5% full, said Bob Spencer, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

“They are all set to go,” he said.

Glendale’s Public Works yard would also be staffed around the clock during the weekend, Public Works Director Steve Zurn said.

Some recently completed projects along the city¿¿¿s hillsides were protected with plastic covering to prevent any spillage, he added.

¿¿¿We are hoping for the best and prepared for the worst,¿¿¿ Zurn said.

He encouraged residents in search of free sandbags to visit Dunsmore Park, where roughly 2,000 bags were distributed in December to homeowners.

County public works officials are also planning to keep access open to Angeles National Forest roads, which have been closed during past rainstorms, Spencer said.

Mountain roads might close if snow makes them unsafe, he said.