Sunday, August 16, 2015

Flash Flood Fire

Floods are more common after a wildfire. Under normal conditions, vegetation absorbs rainfall, thereby reducing water runoff. However, wildfires leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to absorb water, which creates conditions ideal to flash flooding and mudflow. The risk of flooding in landscape damaged by wildfire remains high until the vegetation is restored which can take years.

This image was submitted from Los Angeles County