Catastrophic landslides cause property damages, obstruct roads, and trap vehicles in the southern region of California.
Heavy Rain and Mudslides Hit Southern California
Southern California faced a series of mudslides and flash flooding incidents on Thursday, 9th February 2023, due to thunderstorms fed by the remnants of Eastern Pacific Tropical Storm Mario. The Oak Glen, Forest Falls, and Potato Canyon areas of San Bernardino County were particularly affected.
In Forest Falls, a staggering 1.77 inches of rain fell in a single hour on Thursday, causing significant damage. Local residents in the area were affected as their homes were hit by mudslides and flooding, which were linked to the 2020 El Dorado wildfire burn scar, according to Cal Fire.
Meanwhile, a search was underway in the city of Barstow for a 2-year-old boy who was swept away by floodwaters on Thursday evening. San Bernardino County Fire reported that mud and debris flows impacted multiple homes and covered roads in the area.
Oak Glen, which was the site of another mudslide in September 2022, also experienced flooding. Fortunately, no injuries had been reported in the Oak Glen area, according to the Cal Fire San Bernardino Unit Public Information Office. However, approximately 10 people were stuck on Highway 38 due to debris covering the road in both directions.
The flash flood threat has ended in Southern California heading into Friday, but lingering moisture from Mario could still trigger localized flooding in California's Sierra Nevada and other parts of the Desert Southwest. Death Valley National Park was under a flash flood warning early Friday morning, with flooding from thunderstorms impacting roads in desert locations, including State Route 190 near Furnace Creek.
Damage assessment teams will begin evaluating properties in the Oak Glen area on Friday morning. It is hoped that they will provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage caused by these events.
The 2020 El Dorado wildfire, which was sparked by a pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal party, has left a lasting impact on the region, making it particularly vulnerable to mudslides and flash flooding.
This series of incidents serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather and the importance of preparedness. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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