State Route 58 in Kern County was closed near the town of Mojave, about 95 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Forecasters warned on Friday of possible thunderstorms that could trigger more flash floods going into the weekend.
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The mud in the northbound lanes of I-5 was soupier than that in the southbound lanes, making it harder to scoop out, California Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lauren Wonder said.
One mudslide struck during rush-hour, flooding drivers on busy Interstate 5 near Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, State Route 58 is expected to remain closed for days after the same storm system caused flash-flooding and risky mud flows, trapping about 200 cars there in mud as deep as 6 feet. “More thunderstorms are expected later Friday, potentially across already hit areas of southern California and points east”, reported the Weather Channel.
– A Pacific storm swept across Southland mountains and desert areas Thursday afternoon, unleashing intense showers that sent flows of mud and debris into homes and vehicles while cutting off the main artery between Los Angeles and the Central Valley.
In all, Los Angeles County Fire Department crews reported rescuing 14 people and eight animals. “We’re still stuck”, she said after being stranded in her auto for more than an hour. “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles”. “I think they’re all dead”, said Wells, who was near tears.
National Weather Service meteorologist Robbie Munroe said it’s too early to say whether the storm was connected to the El Nino phenomenon that experts say has formed in the Pacific Ocean.
The slide was caused by a storm system that produced heavy rain across the region.
Mike Halpert, deputy director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Centre said: “A strong El Nino is in place and should exert a strong influence over our weather this winter”. “It’s more like a body of work over a few months”. Officials have not said when the Interstate and other highway will be opened, as the lanes need to be cleared and a geologists needs to check nearby slopes for stability. This El Nino has been forecast to bring above-average precipitation to Southern California during January, February and March.
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California police say they expect a mud-covered interstate to reopen to traffic Friday afternoon.
