LOS ANGELES (Jan. 13, 2026) — Los Angeles County experienced the wettest Christmas in modern history as a powerful atmospheric river delivered extreme rainfall across the region. The historic storm added more than 10 billion gallons of water to local supplies—enough to serve approximately 250,000 people for an entire year.
The storm systems, which began late on Christmas Eve and continued through New Year’s Day, produced more than seven inches of rain in parts of Los Angeles County. Since Oct. 1, the county has captured a total of 62.3 billion gallons of stormwater, highlighting the growing role of stormwater as a reliable local water source.
This milestone underscores the importance of Los Angeles County’s long-term investments in stormwater capture and flood protection infrastructure, which help increase local water supplies, reduce reliance on imported water, and strengthen the region’s resilience to climate-driven extremes.
Throughout the storm, Los Angeles County Public Works closely monitored conditions and responded to reports of storm-related impacts, particularly in areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires. No major issues were reported in burn scar areas, reflecting extensive preparedness efforts by residents and local agencies ahead of the season’s first major storm.
The County’s flood control system—operated by LA County Public Works—includes 491 miles of open channels, 3,400 miles of underground storm drains, 97,466 catch basins, and 189 debris basins. This extensive network plays a critical role in protecting communities from flooding while capturing stormwater for beneficial reuse by local water providers.
Residents are encouraged to remain prepared for future storms by taking the following steps:
- Visit READY.LACounty.gov for storm preparedness tips, free sandbag distribution locations, and to sign up for emergency alerts. Sandbag locations are also available at lacounty.pw/sandbags.
- Know your property’s risk factors, clear drainage paths, and use sandbags to direct runoff away from structures.
- Stay informed through local weather reports and follow instructions from public safety officials if evacuations are ordered.
- Report storm-related damage, flooding, or traffic signal outages to the LA County Public Works 24-hour Dispatch Center at 1-800-675-HELP (4357).
For additional preparedness resources, visit READY.LACounty.gov.
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