Key Southern California interstate blocked in flash flooding

California witnessed a storm that trapped hundreds of cars among mudslide debris as Interstate 5 was shut down, pending emergency evacuation.

There were no reports of deaths or injuries as a result of the flooding.

State Route 58 in Kern County was also closed near Mojave as a storm system brought downpours during the afternoon rush hour.

Southbound lanes is expected to stay closed until 5 p.m. A vicious rainstorm triggered intense flash flooding and massive mudslides between the Central Valley and Southern California. “We thought we were going to get buried alive, in the mud, we just thought it was done”.

“It’s kind of like a tailgate party without the party”, she said.

The mud covered their vehicle, solidifying inside and filling up the front seat up to the dashboard.

The National Weather Service says there could be more on the way.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Keith Mora said the agency rescued four people and two dogs from atop one vehicle on Thursday.

This included interstate 5 in the northern part of Los Angeles County.

Sheriff’s deputies checked on the occupants of almost 800 homes in the area to make sure everyone inside was safe, the department said in a statement.

Hundreds more trucks are backing up Friday morning. It took bulldozers and tow trucks to get them out, one by one.

Authorities said they hoped to reopen the Grapevine section later in the day, after geologists checked the stability of the adjacent hillside. “There will be the potential for additional flash flooding as well as mud and debris flows across the watch area Friday afternoon into early evening”.

“I think my livestock was swept away and penned against the fence”.

By Tuesday and Wednesday, temperatures are expected to heat up and Santa Ana winds could develop, making for risky fire conditions, forecasters said.

“It’s possible that someone could have lived in SoCal all of their lives and never have seen this size hail”, said Joe Sirard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Besides the mud, large rocks and a few boulders fell onto the interstate.

The heavy storm was a symptom of a low pressure system that has been causing severe weather across much of southwestern California.