<
https://theconversation.com/atmospheric-rivers-over-californias-wildfire-burn-scars-raise-fears-of-deadly-mudslides-this-is-what-cascading-climate-disasters-look-like-197563>
"Rivers of muddy water from heavy rainfall raced through city streets as
thousands of people evacuated homes downhill from California’s wildfire burn
scars amid atmospheric river storms drenching the state in early January 2023.
The evacuations at one point included all of Montecito, home to around 8,000
people – and the site of the state’s deadliest mudslide on record exactly five
years earlier.
Wildfire burn scars are particularly risky because wildfires strip away
vegetation and make the soil hydrophobic – meaning it is less able to absorb
water. A downpour on these vulnerable landscapes can quickly erode the ground,
and fast-moving water can carry the debris, rocks and mud with it.
With more storms expected through mid-January, officials warned of a risk of
debris flows near several recently burned areas, including near Santa Barbara
and Los Angeles, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties and the Shasta Trinity
National Forest.
I study cascading hazards like this, in which consecutive events lead to human
disasters. Studies show climate change is raising the risk of multiple compound
disasters, including new research showing increasing risks to energy
infrastructure."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
