Post-storm potholes popping up across Los Angeles are taking toll on drivers' wallets

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Our recent storms have moved out, but they've left behind more potholes on city streets. Drivers are realizing that it can not only put a dent in your tires, but also your wallet.

After days of heavy rain, massive potholes are forming across the city. A number of drivers have reported sudden impacts, and one of those drivers is Giuseppe D'Amore.

"Not only my tire replaced, but now I just found out. I've got to get another rim replaced. This is the second rim that's been fractured," said D'Amore.

He said he was driving to the farmers market on Friday night when he heard a loud thump.

"I hit a pothole, and I didn't see it. It was at night. It's black, the street is black. There's no differentiation, and I hit it. It literally scared me and the person that was riding with me," D'Amore said.

Moments later, his dashboard told the story: a tire was rapidly losing air. Cracked wheels and blown tires aren't just dangerous, they're expensive.

"It depends. The average is about $300 to over $1,000 bucks, depends on the rim and everything," said Chris Dushikyan from American Tire Center.

There's a dangerous stretch on South La Brea Avenue. By around 8:30 Friday night, at least 15 vehicles suffered serious tire damage after hitting one large pothole.

"We heard this huge thump twice, and then as soon as I heard that, the warning lights in my car went off, and both my tires on the passenger side just blew out completely," said James Estreba.

The city is asking people to report potholes. Reportedly, the city is trying to patch only the worst parts of the streets, and not the entire roadway.

"They still still haven't caught up from all the previous years, so yeah, there definitely seems like there's a lot more," says David Zamarripa from Ben's Asphalt.

Crews from Ben's Asphalt were out doing repairs on Tuesday morning in a parking lot. They have advice for drivers.

"It seems like most of the potholes are on the low side, so maybe try to stay on the high side of the street, because that's where the water is going to sit," Zamarripa said.

For now, motorists are being urged to slow down, stay alert and brace for more bumps ahead.