Debris Flow Reconnaissance

SAFRR's Robert Leeper and Kate Scharer (USGS) conducted debris flow reconnaissance near the mountain community of Mt. Baldy, CA (San Gabriel Mtns). An intense summer storm (a nearly 500-yr event) formed over the area on Sunday, August 3, 2014, and resulted in debris and mud flows inundating businesses and residences. There was a statement posted at the Mt. Baldy fire station (where according to the NWS in Los Angeles is the only loc with a rain gauge), which said 4.7 inches in ~2.5 hours. One resident told Robert he actually watched two cells converge over a ridge to the north of where he was and then all hell broke loose. Multiple homes were "red tagged" and residents are still removing debris and mud from their homes. Unfortunately, a hiker leaving the area during the storm died after being swept off the road in his vehicle. Multiple debris and mud flow deposits were observed and photographed during the reconnaissance.