California has been rocked with landslides as torrential rain drown the state just weeks after several wildfires destroyed Los Angeles.
Severe winds and heavy precipitation have created extremely hazardous conditions for individuals living in California, especially those residing in the Pacific Palisades area, following the destruction of entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles due to multiple wildfires.
In Malibu, an unnamed firefighter driving a white SUV was caught on camera being swept into the ocean while traversing the flooded streets in the aftermath of a mudslide that took place on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).
The slick mudslide continued to pound the vehicle, turning it on its side before flipping it back right-side-up as it poured into the ocean.
Hector Caldeira, the individual whose dashcam recorded the incident, recounted how he urged the firefighter to remain inside the vehicle, shouting, “Hey, stop, don’t, don’t! Don’t get out until the water slows down,” as the dramatic event unfolded along the coast.
The firefighter managed to escape the vehicle as heavy waves crashed into the vehicle from behind and the mud pushed against his legs from the front. He could be seen struggling to make it to shore before climbing back up to the highway level.
The firefighter was transported to a hospital ‘as a precaution,’ LAFD Captain Erik Scott told the outlet, before warning locals to avoid driving during the peak of the storm.
Caldeira was driving along PCH to install K-rails – a concrete barrier – to divert disaster when he watched the firefighter get swept away.
The firefighter managed to escape the vehicle as heavy waves crashed into the vehicle from behind and the mud pushed against his legs from the front. He could be seen struggling to make it to shore before climbing back up to the highway level
An unidentified firefighter, who was driving a white SUV, was filmed being swept out to sea in Malibu while driving through the flooded streets after a mudslide occurred on the Pacific Coast Highway
The slick mudslide continued to pound the vehicle, turning it on its side before flipping it back right-side-up as it poured into the ocean
The LAFD does plan to try and retrieve the vehicle from the water, but believe the damage will have totaled the car, they told NBC Los Angeles.
Glen Creek in Pasadena was roaring with so much mud it sounded like a raging waterfall.
‘There was a very small flow of water, and then suddenly, you get a huge wave,’ a local told Fox 11 Los Angeles.
Residents are already beginning to evacuate the area, with Karen Mortillaro, who had to abandon her horses, saying she’s ‘never seen it like this.’
The area is overwhelmed after being evacuated for fires just weeks before, with Mortillaro saying: ‘You know, after having such a traumatic fire evacuation, we don’t need another scare. You know, it’s just too close back to back. And it’s just. It’s not worth taking a risk.’
Authorities are going door-to-door in some areas to tell residents to leave their homes and get to safety, according to Fox 11 Los Angeles.
Trabuco Canyon, Bell Canyon, and Hot Springs Canyon are under mandatory evacuation, while Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon are under voluntary orders.
The storm hitting the region began to ease Thursday night, but dangerous slides can strike even after rain stops, particularly in scorched areas where vegetation that helps keep soil anchored has burned away.
Residents are already beginning to evacuate the area, with Karen Mortillaro, who had to abandon her horses, saying she’s ‘never seen it like this’
Authorities are going door-to-door in some areas to tell residents to leave their homes and get to safety
Trabuco Canyon, Bell Canyon, and Hot Springs Canyon are under mandatory evacuation, while Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon are under voluntary orders
The storm hitting the region began to ease Thursday night, but dangerous slides can strike even after rain stops, particularly in scorched areas where vegetation that helps keep soil anchored has burned away
In Pacific Palisades on Thursday, one intersection of the highway was submerged in at least three feet of sludge, with some drivers trying to force their way through and police officers pushing one vehicle through the muck.
Bulldozers worked to clear the roads not far from where just weeks ago they moved abandoned cars after people fleeing last month’s wildfires got stuck in traffic and fled on foot
In North Altadena, a road near the Eaton Fire burn scar was also covered in several feet of mud, vegetation and trees as a flood of water overcame concrete blocks put in place to prevent such debris flows. The area was mostly deserted.
Northern California at higher elevations are being effected by snow.
Heavy snowfall came Thursday night with residents asked not to venture out in it, especially in the Sierra region.
Lake Tahoe is estimated to get up to a foot of snow at lake level, while passes will get up to four feet, according to KCRA.
Those below 4,000 feet only saw a few inches.
As Northern Californians head into the weekend, dry conditions are expected.
