A car fell into a flood control channel in Fullerton, possibly after a spinout on the 57 Freeway during a rain storm that drenched Southern California on Saturday, March 30, according to a California Highway Patrol log.
CHP officers responded to the area of the 57 Freeway and Chapman Avenue where the car, a dark-colored sedan, was found without a driver and “90% underwater,” a log entry states. Authorities would have to wait to try to take it out of the channel until the rain slowed.
Video from OC Hawk, a freelance service that often works with the Southern California News Group, shows the car wedged perpendicular in the channel with water running through it. Video shows damage to a portion of chain link fence just off the right shoulder of the northbound 57 Freeway near Yorba Linda Boulevard.
Heavy rain fell across Southern California Saturday morning, with less intense precipitation expected to continue on and off through Monday.
“The cold front with the heaviest rain and snow will be through the area by about 10 a.m.,” the National Weather Service said Saturday morning. “Most of the area received from 1 to 3 inches of rain in the last 24-hours and will be transitioning to two days of showers and possible thunderstorms.”
A flood advisory was in effect until 11 a.m. Saturday, with minor urban flooding expected.
Forecasters said some locations that would experience flooding include Long Beach, Acton, Pasadena, Alhambra, Whittier, West Covina, downtown Los Angeles, Glendora, Burbank, Universal City, Hollywood, San Dimas, Inglewood, Pomona and Culver City.
The Los Angeles County Public Works Department warned residents about the potential for debris and mudflow in parts of the north county.
The City of Los Angeles, just before noon, temporarily closed the Sepulveda Basin due to weather conditions.
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Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger advised residents to take appropriate precautions in light of threatened mudflows.
“Our County will experience another storm system this weekend that brings an increased threat of flash flooding, along with debris and mudflows,” she said in a statement early Saturday. “I am asking residents who were recently impacted by wildfires — such as the Agua and Fish Fires — to remain extremely vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Burn areas and hillsides in particular are vulnerable to debris and mudflows.
“The best way to stay safe is to keep tracking weather conditions, sign up for your local emergency alert systems, and listen to your local news broadcasts. If you receive an evacuation message from local law enforcement officials, follow their directions and don’t hesitate. Prioritizing safety is key this Easter holiday weekend.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said late Saturday morning that the storm had caused power outages in some neighborhoods, and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power crews “were working to restore power quickly and safely.”
The storm will be accompanied by gusty winds and the possibility of thunderstorms Saturday night into Sunday, with the best chances on Sunday.
“These thunderstorms on Sunday could produce small hail, gusty winds, frequent lightning and possibly even a small tornado or waterspout,” the NWS said.
Caltrans said Interstate 5 was open through the Grapevine, but drivers should expect high winds, rain, possible snow and CHP escorts.
Forecasters said one to two feet of snow could fall at elevations above 6,000 feet, “with even higher amounts at the highest peaks.”
“Snow levels should remain above the Grapevine but there is a 10 percent chance of a snow burst under a thunderstorm,” according to the NWS. “Wind gusts from 60 to 65 mph will pummel the mountains as well but they will diminish Saturday afternoon.”
A winter storm warning will be in effect through 11 p.m. Sunday for the San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors, with forecasters warning that “travel could be very difficult to impossible.”
Cooler temperatures were also in the forecast for Easter weekend, with most areas not getting out of the 50s.
Temperatures were expected to warm slightly by Monday, as much as 10 degrees in some areas, “but maximum temperatures will still end up 4 to 8 degrees below normal.”
Staff writer Nathaniel Percy contributed to this report.