Tag: Hurricane Marie

LOS FELIZ—A large tree collapsed onto two vehicles and their occupants on Sunday, September 6, around 4 p.m. One of the occupants was taken to the hospital and is reported to be in fair condition. Their vehicle sustained heavy damage to the hood and windshield. The incident occurred at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Melbourne Avenue near the Mac Repair Clinic. Video of the incident was published on Facebook.

Experts believe the tree collapsed due to wet, stormy weather caused by the remnants of Hurricane Marie. The rainfall likely saturated the soil, destabilizing the tree’s roots and causing it to give way. The same storm system caused flooding and slick road conditions that led to crashes across Los Angeles.

According to public records, 311 LA City service requests have been made for tree trimming in the Los Feliz region. It remains unclear whether the incident could have been prevented. Cleanup crews have been called to clear the debris from the roadway.

Residents in areas with mature trees are urged to stay alert during storms and report any leaning, cracked, or unstable trees to 311 as soon as possible. If driving in heavy rain, avoid parking or lingering under large trees and give yourself extra distance from tree lines when conditions are wet.

By Milan Manesh

MALIBU—The National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory along with a coastal flood advisory for Los Angeles and Ventura County coastlines. Beachgoers, surfers, and lifeguards are being told to exercise extreme caution near the ocean and stay close to lifeguard towers. Officials warn of dangerous rip currents, which can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Malibu has been flagged as a high-risk zone.

The advisories took effect at 6 a.m. Saturday, September 5, and remain in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday, September 8. The swell is forecast to peak Sunday and Monday.

Hurricane Marie is generating the surf as it churns offshore southwest of Baja California. The storm itself is not making landfall, but the ocean energy it produces is traveling northeast toward the California coastline. Marie’s rotating wind field over the open ocean generates long period swells that can travel for thousands of miles with little loss of energy. When those swells reach the shallower water off Malibu’s points, they steepen and grow more powerful, which is what triggered the high surf advisory.

As of Sunday, September 6, the surf report at Malibu First Point showed 4 to 6 foot plus surf with light 5 knot wind and a dominant swell of 4.3 feet at 14 seconds from 190 degrees.

Drivers heading out this Labor Day weekend should also be careful. Any rain during this period could make roads slick due to oil buildup from the dry summer months.

By Milan Manesh