Readers ask us lots of questions about L.A. We have lots of answers
In summer 2021, we began asking readers to send in their most pressing questions. Since then, we’ve received questions about traffic, the environment, technology, housing and beyond — reflecting the complicated, multifaceted experience of life in Los Angeles and California.
Every few weeks, we put our favorite questions to a vote, allowing subscribers to decide which question we will answer.
Sometimes answers are tricky to unwind, taking us deep into the history and fabric of our home. In cases like the ones linked below, we tend to learn more than we ever set out to discover.
Other times, the answers are more straightforward, but still plenty interesting. We’ve compiled some here:
How much rain did Southern California get in December 2021? — Jerry Yang
The South Coast hydrologic region — which includes all of Orange County, most of San Diego and Los Angeles counties, in addition to parts of several other counties — received 7.65 inches of rain in December 2021, according to Desert Research Institute data. In comparison, the region saw just 1.45 inches of rain in December 2020 and 4.74 inches in December 2019.
I own a modest house on a canyon. I would like to box in the eaves so as to reduce the fire hazard from flying embers. Is there a state program that would offer financial support for such a project? — Stan Zubel
Thirteen insurance companies and groups — as well as the California FAIR plan — offer premium discounts for homes that have taken steps to mitigate their risk of wildfire damage, according to Michael Soller, deputy commissioner for communications at the California Department of Insurance.
The discounts vary by company, but “enclosed eaves are a common element, on their own or combined with other elements,†Soller wrote in an email.
“[Discounts] can go up to 20% for a wildfire-hardened home,†Soller wrote in an email. “Some companies also offer community-wide discounts, if homes are located in a fire-mitigated neighborhood, such as Firewise USA.â€
I have noticed what looks like sirens sprinkled throughout the San Fernando Valley. I am guessing they are from the Cold War in the 1950s. Can you please share any bit of history about them? — Ryan Jonasson
L.A.’s civil defense sirens actually predate the Cold War! They were part of an air raid warning system set up during World War II, my colleague Carolina A. Miranda reported in 2018.
“Their presence was expanded throughout the 1950s and ’60s as the politics of the Cold War stoked paranoia over a possible Soviet missile attack,†Miranda wrote. “The last official test of sirens took place in the 1980s.â€
Click the links below to read stories that emerged out of questions posed to us by readers. Do you have a pressing question about L.A. or California? Let us know using this form.
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Massive turrets. Stained glass windows. Sneering stone gargoyles. We discovered the story behind the enormous castles dotting Burbank.
- 2
The Wilshire Boulevard landmark poses many tantalizing questions that scientists are trying to solve.
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Having a movie or TV show film at your home can feel glamorous. But on the flip side, there’s a risk of damage occuring during a shoot.
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The turtles you see in city parks across Los Angeles aren’t actually native to California.
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For a brief moment, let’s step into the multiverse of California air travel.
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It’s virtually impossible to pinpoint the exact origin of many words. But it’s safe to say who popularized ‘Cali.’
- 7
Though the famous sign is not illuminated at night, that hasn’t always been the case.
- 8
What are some telltale behaviors of drivers in L.A.? We spoke with a few driving experts to find out.
- 9
A reader asked why L.A.’s recognizable skyline — with skyscrapers such as the Wilshire Grand Center and U.S. Bank tower — developed roughly 15 miles from the Pacific. We have answers.
- 10
Although the movie business certainly played a role in Los Angeles’ development during the 20th century, the oil industry also spurred the growth of what’s now the second-largest city in the United States.
- 11
We know parks are not equitably distributed across L.A. What’s the hold-up on building more?
- 12
When tourists see Angelenos acting “so L.A.,†it may say more about the expectations they bring with them.
- 13
L.A. pumps its local groundwater, but other water sources are important for replenishing the supply.
- 14
There are many methods of assessing a neighborhood or individual home’s risk of wildfires — and plenty of ways to help mitigate the danger.
- 15
Traffic has long been a headache in Southern California — but there are ways to cut down on the congestion.
