SoCal rain: 40,000 pounds of storm debris collected from back-to-back storms since February, county says

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Could too much rain lead to more pollution problems? It’s definitely something to keep an eye on as Southern California braces for another storm.

The wet conditions have caused sinkholes and fallen trees, but all the rain is also pushing more pollutants into the ocean.

“I think the amount of rainfall we’ve had this season is unprecedented, and that means the amount of material being transported through the system is also unprecedented,” said Phyllis Grifman, executive director of the USC Sea Grant program.

Also, the last three months have been pretty wet in Southern California.

The LAX area, for example, saw nearly 16 inches of rain in the first three months of the year, the most since at least 2018.

“The storms we’re having now are still bringing many pollutants into the coastal ocean, particularly fine particulate matter, garbage, and of more concern is microplastics,” Grifman said.

One way Los Angeles County has prevented more trash from entering the ocean is through the latest device called “The Interceptor,” which sits at the mouth of Ballona Creek near Marina del Rey. She has been collecting rubbish since October 2022.

Almost 122,000 pounds of trash have been trapped since then, according to the county. From that shipment, 40,000 pounds of trash have been captured from February to date.

“It’s an unprecedented season, but I don’t think it’s going to be the only season of its kind because of global warming and these atmospheric fluxes,” Grifman said.

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