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First Major Storm of the Season Adds 700 Million Gallons to Local Water Supply

First Major Storm of the Season Adds 700 Million Gallons to Local Water Supply 898 144 COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

October 16, 2025

Contact:
pio@pw.lacounty.gov

First Major Storm of the Season Adds 700 Million Gallons to Local Water Supply

 

LOS ANGELES — The first major storm of the 2025-26 storm season produced over three inches of rainfall in areas of Los Angeles County, adding more than 700 million gallons to local water supplies. The majority of this stormwater was captured behind the region’s 14 major dams, where it will be held and later distributed among the County’s 27 spreading ground facilities to recharge local groundwater aquifers.

The water collected during Tuesday’s storm was enough to supply 18,400 people for a full year and brought the total amount collected since Oct. 1 to a billion gallons.

The storm began late Monday night, with rain intensifying into Tuesday morning before tapering off in the evening. Los Angeles County Public Works storm patrols closely monitored the rainfall to ensure a prompt response to reports of storm damage, particularly in areas impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires. No major issues were reported in LA County’s burn scar areas, although homeowners and local agencies were well prepared for the first major storm of the season.

The County’s vast flood control system includes 491 miles of open channel, 3,400 miles of underground storm drain, 97,466 catch basins, and 189 debris basins, among other facilities.  It is operated by LA County Public Works and has a critical role in protecting communities from flooding while capturing rainfall and stormwater runoff for later use by local retail water providers.

The National Weather Service forecast for the region is dry for the next few weeks; however, residents should take the following steps to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their homes from future storms:

  • Visit READY.LACounty.gov for valuable storm tips, like free sandbag distribution locations, and to sign up for automatic emergency alerts. Residents can visit lacounty.pw/sandbags for sandbag distribution locations.
  • Know your property’s risk factors. Clear drainage paths. Use sandbags to direct runoff and protect structures.
  • Stay tuned to local weather reports and follow the instructions of law enforcement if told to evacuate.
  • Call the LA County Public Works 24-hour Dispatch Center to report storm-related damage, traffic signal outages, flooding or other concerns at 1-800-675-HELP (4357).

For more storm preparedness tips, visit READY.LACounty.gov.

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