Region : Lifeguards to Do Flood Duty

In the wake of recent heavy rains and flash-flooding, the County Board of Supervisors has directed county lifeguards assigned to area beaches to monitor flood channels and assist in rescue efforts as needed in the future.

The supervisors acted Tuesday in response to the drowning earlier this month of a 15-year-old Woodland Hills youth in a raging Los Angeles River channel.

“This unfortunate loss of life leaves us all with a great sense of sorrow,” said Supervisor Ed Edelman, who made the motion. “It’s not the first time people have been carried off in these floodwaters, but I hope with this action we can reduce the likelihood of such tragedies in the future.”

Edelman said county lifeguards, trained in rescue techniques, could be stationed on bridges or on the banks of flood channels as needed.