Rain, Mudflows Cause Havoc

by David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer

12/30/21:Los Angeles County is experiencing its heaviest rainstorm since 2016. Over 6 inches of rain have fallen in some areas of the County in the last week. Several roads or highways have been closed due to mud, snow and ice.

The SMFD reported Thursday at 1 pm, that it was responding to a Flood Incident in the 2900 Block of Main Street. "Avoid the area, possible delays, hazards," said the SMFD tweet.

Due to a mudslide, CalTrans has close the Northbound PCH from the McClure Tunnel. The tweet from Caltrans, sent at 9:52 am Thursday, reads as follows:

"Santa Monica: northbound State Route 1 (PCH) closed at the Santa Monica bluffs/Ocean Ave. onramp due to a mudslide. Traffic being taken off westbound I-10 at Lincoln Blvd. off ramp. City of Santa Monica is clearing drains at top of the bluffs. #PCH #SantaMonica #mudlside"

In addition, the Mulholland Highway is closed due to rock and mudslides."

The City of SM announced that "Due to the rain, there will not be street sweeping today, 12/30 or tomorrow, 12/31. You do not need to move your car."

Meanwhile, in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Works close the Mulholland Highway on Thursday. Their 10 am tweet reads as follows:

#TRAFFICALERT Mulholland Hwy, in the Santa Monica Mountains, is closed between Las Virgenes Rd and Cornell Rd due to heavy mudflow and rockfall on the roadway. Maintenance crews will begin removing rocks, mud and debris once heavy rain has subsided. #LARain

LA County had been in a drought situation. But the snow pack is now 160% of normal in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Last week's storms brought 6 inches of rain to Los Angeles. LA has received over half of its average annual rainfall total of 14 inches. This seems to have ended the drought for now, even if the politicians won't admit it. The rain will continue into New Years Eve.

The 5 Interstate Highway shutdown in the Grapevine for most of the day Thursday. It was reopened at about 5 PM.