Clean up on the Interstate began later Thursday and continued into the night.
Advertisement
Crews are expected to be clearing Interstate 5 on Friday, with up to 5ft of mud covering a few lanes, according to California Department of Transportation (CDT) spokeswoman Lauren Wonder. “Our engineers are always very careful so they make sure in a flood situation, any hillside is secure”.
Cars and trucks were stuck in several feet of mud on Highway 58 on October. 16, 2015.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich said he will ask his colleagues on Tuesday to declare a state of emergency for QuartzHill, Leona Valley, Lake Hughes, Lake Elizabeth and surrounding areas.
A number of Antelope Valley residents were also displaced as a result of the storm, which resulted in the American Red Cross setting up multiple shelters in the area. “I’ve never experienced anything like it, ever”, she said.
“‘It was terrifying, ‘ 51-year-old Rhonda Flores of Bakersfield told The Associated Press”.
Many motorists caught in the mudslides were forced to camp out in their vehicles overnight, officials said.
County fire crews helped a few motorists escape their swamped vehicles and get to safety.
The agency will go house to house Friday morning to check on residents.
Thursday’s flash flooding could be a harbinger of more wet weather to come across the state this winter; the same day, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) boosted its prediction of above-average rainfall for much of California, including in areas where the largest state reservoirs are badly depleted.
The thunderstorms were powered by a low pressure system pulling in moisture from the south. As much as 1.45 inches of rain fell in a quick span of time near where the most intense flooding occurred.
The southbound and northbound sides of the 5 Freeway were shut down for the mud cleanup but reopened late Friday.
Thousands of cars and trucks were stuck in queues along the road, which runs the length of California.
To the west, State Road 58 is expected to remain closed for days.
Melissa Nuesca said she and her husband had just picked up their two children from school in the Lake Hughes area when they found themselves surrounded by mud and water.
Advertisement
“This mobile was right over here behind that tree”, said Steve Lopez, gesturing to an area that was hundreds of feet away from the home’s current location.
