OAK GLEN, Calif. (AP) — Mudslides and debris flows have knocked down trees, plowed into homes, and trapped drivers for over 10 hours as several Southern California communities faced heavy rainfall, according to authorities.
Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or missing persons, as confirmed by Christopher Prater, a public information officer for the San Bernardino County Fire.
The intense rains hit the area for more than an hour on Thursday afternoon, bringing remnants of Tropical Storm Mario to the mountainous terrain, affecting small communities such as Forest Falls, Oak Glen, and Potato Canyon.
Emergency services successfully rescued 10 individuals who were trapped in at least six vehicles stranded on state Route 38 near Jenks Lake, a route that winds through towering trees and leads to Big Bear Lake.
Witness Kael Steel shared his experience with KNBC-TV, detailing how he noticed rocks and debris tumbling down the mountainside as rains intensified. After observing people turning back due to blocked roads, he himself was forced to retrace his path after the road he had just crossed was destroyed.
The California Highway Patrol noted that Route 38 remained closed as rescue and cleanup efforts continued, with teams scheduled to assess the hillside areas affected by the mudslides.
Authorities are uncertain about the extent of the damage to homes and infrastructure, indicating that the small towns, particularly Forest Falls, have faced substantial impacts in the past, including mudslides and wildfires that have left the area vulnerable.
According to Kyle Wheeler, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, about 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) of rain fell within an hour, followed by an additional half inch (1.3 centimeters), significantly surpassing the typical rainfall for the region, with peak precipitation rates noted for summer thunderstorms being half an inch (1.3 centimeters) per hour.
The rainfall intensity and rapid accumulation have resulted in unique challenges for the communities, further complicating the emergency response and recovery efforts in this flood-prone area.
