Debris Flow Slams Into Backyard of Sherman Oaks Home Forcing Evacuations

The relentless pounding rain that has battered Southern California over the New Year holiday has turned a hillside in Sherman Oaks into a dangerous wall of mud. In the early morning hours of Thursday, January 1, a saturated embankment gave way in the 3900 block of Pacheco Drive. The resulting debris flow rushed into the backyard of a local home, prompting emergency responders to order an immediate evacuation of the property.

Saturated Hillsides Give Way

This incident is exactly what Los Angeles residents have been fearing as multiple atmospheric rivers saturate the region. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the hillside behind Pacheco Drive simply could not hold any more water. Video footage from the scene shows a thick slurry of mud, rocks, and vegetation sliding down the embankment and coming to rest against the rear of the house.

Two residents were forced to flee their home as the mud began to pile up. While the structure itself remains standing, the sheer volume of debris has raised serious concerns about the stability of the slope above. Safety inspectors are currently on the scene to determine if the property is safe for return or if further land movement is likely as the ground remains heavy with moisture.

Holiday Storms Bring Continued Risks

This specific debris flow follows a series of evacuation warnings issued by Los Angeles County for hillside communities. Fire officials have been warning residents in areas like Sherman Oaks, Wrightwood, and the Hollywood Hills that mudslides can occur even after the heaviest rain has stopped. The "flood on steroids" effect of these debris flows makes them incredibly difficult to stop and poses a significant threat to homes built on or below steep grades.

While these residents are dealing with the immediate cleanup, the rest of Southern California is bracing for another round of rain. The Los Angeles Fire Department has lifted some previous evacuation warnings as of January 2, but they are urging everyone in canyon areas to remain vigilant. For the two people on Pacheco Drive, the start of 2026 has been defined by a narrow escape from a hillside that literally came crashing into their backyard.