Southern California has always been a region of contrasts — from sun-soaked beaches to destructive wildfires, and from lush hillsides to sudden mudflows. With fires devastating large swaths of the area this year, future rain now poses a serious threat of flash flooding and debris flows in burn areas. Residents… Continue reading
Southern California’s residents live under the ever-present threat of a major earthquake. Despite decades of preparation and planning, the aftermath of such a disaster would expose vulnerabilities in our emergency response systems—vulnerabilities that became evident during the Palisades Fire. While fires and earthquakes are different crises, the delays and resource… Continue reading
As Southern California once again grapples with the devastating effects of wildfire season, the Pacific Palisades fire has exposed glaring systemic failures in leadership and preparedness. While communities face loss and displacement, the finger-pointing continues among officials who should have acted preemptively. In this blog, we’ll examine the roles of… Continue reading
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left widespread destruction in its wake, with reports indicating that as many as 200 people are dead, with the grim reality that this number could rise significantly. In the chaos following the storm, between 600 and 1000 people remain unaccounted for, sparking fears that… Continue reading
Southern California, one of the most populous regions in the United States, sits precariously atop a network of seismic faults that have the potential to unleash catastrophic earthquakes. Scientists have long warned about the likelihood of a major earthquake—often referred to as “The Big One”—which could have devastating consequences for… Continue reading
