Catastrophic landslides traps motorists, obscures roadways, and damages residential properties in the Southern part of California.
State Route 38, the winding mountain road linking cities east of Los Angeles with the resort town of Big Bear Lake, remains closed following mudslides and debris flows that occurred on Thursday.
Kael Steel, a driver traveling down the mountain from Big Bear, encountered the brunt of the storm as rain pounded and rocks and debris came tumbling down the mountain side. The road he had crossed just 30 seconds earlier had been wiped away, leaving several road blockages in his path.
Despite the obstacles, authorities were able to rescue 10 people who were stranded on state Route 38, near the San Bernardino National Forest. These rescued individuals were in at least six vehicles.
The road, known for its towering trees and frequent curves up the mountainside, has been a challenge for drivers even in the best of weather conditions.
Christopher Prater, San Bernardino County Fire's public information officer, reported that no one was hurt and no one is reported missing. However, he stated that the community has been impacted significantly, and the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined.
Mudslides and debris flows occurred in several Southern California communities, including Forest Falls, Oak Glen, and Potato Canyon. Forest Falls, a town off Route 38, was hit by mudslides three years ago.
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Works is responsible for the restoration of areas damaged by mudslides in the small mountain villages of Forest Falls, Oak Glen, and Potato Canyon. The extent of the damage to homes in the affected areas is currently unknown.
Damage teams are planning to assess the hillside areas impacted by the mudslides. As of Friday morning, State Route 38 remains closed, and it is unclear when it will reopen.
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