Deadly mudflows could threaten California again

Фото: Depositphotos

The devastating forest fires in Southern California, followed by a powerful storm, led to landslides in Montecito, which took the lives of 20 people and destroyed more 500 houses.

It is likely that in the future such mudflows will repeat, reports The Washington Post.

What is mudflow and how does it arise

Sella is a strong stream of water that carries with it debris, fragments of stones and dirt mixed with water. These landslides are much more dangerous and stronger than ordinary floods, they destroy everything in their path.

This is due to the fires that destroyed the vegetation and exposed the ground, and heavy rains eroded the earth and the ruins in the burnt areas. Therefore, all these upper parts of the soil and debris are easily picked up by water and spread over long distances.

In addition, after fires in roughly-textured soils, a water-repellent layer is formed, and it prevents the normal flow of water into the depths. The soil itself after the fire becomes sand-like and easily eroded. The end result is that after a fire with a high or moderate degree of severity, the ability of the soil to absorb water decreases from a few inches per hour to perhaps one third of an inch per hour. Any heavy rainfall turns into a flood, which carries with it all the stones and debris lying on the surface of the earth.

Future projections

Since in regions such as California, the number of fires from drought and global warming is increasing, mudflows will become more and more common.

First, climate change increases the duration and extent of the fire season by reducing snow cover and increasing air temperature. Higher temperatures increase the risk of fires, as well as the ability of the atmosphere to retain water, which increases the intensity of precipitation after the fire season.

Во-вторых, политика подавления лесных пожаров привела к увеличению количества и плотности растительности в некоторых районах Калифорнии. Помимо защиты от пожаров и оползней, в определенной ситуации эти деревья могут превратиться в топливо, и привести к пожарам с более высокой степенью тяжести и к большему оголению земли. Поэтому пожары в будущем неизбежны, а вместе с ними неизбежна и эрозия холмов, а значит — и сели.

You can use special garbage cans or tap-off structures to contain water and debris and reduce damage. But such constructions are usually expensive and do not withstand the onslaught of a storm or other extreme weather conditions.

Therefore, the best way to save your life is to follow the evacuation advice during a fire or before a storm.

Most of the areas burned by fires are usually restored within two to four years. When there is less than 35% bare ground in the area, there is a significantly reduced risk of high levels of runoff and erosion.

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