Orange County’s Bell Canyon, Hot Springs Canyon and Trabuco Creek are slated to be under mandatory evacuation orders as heavy rains hit California – raising concerns of mudflows in areas burned by the Airport Fires.
“Effective Wednesday, December 24 at 8 a.m., an Evacuation Order (Mandatory) will be issued for areas in Trabuco Creek including the RC Airport, fire station, campground/park and school, Bell Canyon including Starr Ranch and Hot Springs Canyon including Lazy-W Ranch due to possible debris flows along or near the Airport Fire burn scar,” reads a Tuesday news release put out by county officials.
Weather forecasts predict heavy rains for the canyons on Christmas Eve.
“Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible,” reads the forecast from the National Weather Service.
Tuesday’s news release from the county government states the area will be under a flood watch from 10 p.m. Tuesday night until 10 p.m. Wednesday night.
The Orange County Animal Care shelter in Tustin stands ready to house dogs, cats and other small pets for residents under evacuation orders, according to Tuesday’s news release from county officials.
County officials say canyon residents should evacuate as early as possible.
“Residents living in the evacuation areas are encouraged to leave early and plan for alternate shelter with friends, family or at a local hotel outside of the evacuation area,” reads Tuesday’s news release.
“In coordination with the OC Social Services Agency and OC Public Libraries, the County of Orange will open a reception center for evacuated residents at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24. The reception center will be located at the Foothill Ranch Library Program Annex, which is directly adjacent to the Foothill Ranch Library located at 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610,” officials said in the news release.
Modjeska Canyon resident Joanne Hubble, a volunteer who keeps canyon residents notified about weather, floods and fires, said locals should pay attention to the evacuation orders.
“Make sure you have a go bag and get out when they tell you to. If you’re really going to stay, make sure people know you’re staying who aren’t in the area,” Hubble said in a Tuesday phone interview.
[Read: When Wildfires, Mudslides Hit Orange County’s Canyons, Residents Turn To This Woman]
While Modjeska Canyon’s not facing any evacuation orders as of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Hubble said the area will see heavy rain.
“We’re going to get hammered, but the bigger danger is in Trabuco Creek and Bell Canyon. Luckily for us, the Airport Fire burnt around us,” she said, adding that local fire stations are giving away sandbags for canyon residents.
Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner, who represents the canyon area, urged residents to heed the mandatory evacuation orders.
“While the Holiday Season is a tough time to be asked to leave your home, the evacuation order is not made lightly and is in the best interests of residents. I urge everyone in the affected area to be safe, evacuate,” Wagner said in a Tuesday text message.
Last year, the Airport Fire began near the canyons and headed east into Riverside County – eventually burning roughly 24,000 acres of land, according to CalFire’s website.
[Read: Airport Fire Expands to 20k Acres, Nears Lake Elsinore]
Hubble also said mudflows can be deadly, which happens when heavy rains hit areas that have been burned.
“My best advice is to heed the warnings that are given, this is not a joke – you can’t outrun mud.”