California storm wreaks havoc, causes at least 2 deaths

The latest and one of the
most powerful in a string of deadly storms
marched through California, killing at least two
people, flooding freeways, triggering
mudslides and raising new fears whether the
Oroville Dam will hold.
Unlike some of the past deluges to engulf
what had been the drought-parched Golden
State, the latest was accompanied by winds
that whipped upwards of 70 miles per hour in some locales, which caused much of the
damage.


In the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles,
the winds and rain were blamed for downing
power lines along a busy stretch of Sepulveda Boulevard that fell on a car
underneath. The driver was electrocuted, Los
Angeles police said.

Interstate 5, the major north-south artery
through California, was flooded near Los
Angeles with water as deep as about five feet. Rush-hour traffic came to a crawl as California Highway Patrol officers guided motorists to
offramps But drivers of big-rig trucks, taking advantage of their high clearance, waded
through waters that almost rose to their hoods at times.

As the worst of the storm struck in the early
afternoon, work crews — from fire
departments, Caltrans and public works
departments — were deployed throughout the
region to respond to traffic accidents, downed
trees and power lines and flooding as a result
of the heavy rain.

In Victorville, a desert community east of Los
Angeles, several vehicles were swept away by
rushing water. One motorists was rescued
from atop their vehicle. But San Bernardino
County firefighters say one motorist died when
their car was submerged.

Billed as one of the most powerful storms to
hit the Southland in years, residents were
evacuated in some areas due to concerns of
mudslides and heavy wind currents. In total,
the storm had been predicted to dump four to
six inches of rain in a region that had seen
water restrictions after years of drought.

“This is a powerful storm that is going to have a big impact over a short amount of time,”
National Weather Service meteorologist Derek
Schroeter said. “The rain and wind will diminish by Saturday morning with scattered
showers throughout Saturday.”

The rain could cause flooding and the Riverside County Fire Department cautioned all
to avoid areas with high water and adhere to road closure signs. “Do not attempt to cross
flooded roads or waterways on foot or in vehicles,” Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief
John Hawkins said.

On Interstate 15, the freeway
that connects Las Vegas to Southern California, a
fire engine went off the side when the water undercut the
roadway beneath it. The firefighters were able
to escape unhurt.

Some of the hardest hit spots in Friday stormswere the mountains and hills around Ojai and the Ventura River basin, swelling rivers and
creeks that have had a string of dry years.