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Winter storm causing damage to Highland
A section of the Boulder Street bridge overpass in Highland collapsed the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 under the surge of the Santa Ana River.
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Steven Cuevas/KPCC
)
The swollen Santa Ana River crests the Baseline Avenue bridge in Highland on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, causing extensive damage.
(
Steven Cuevas/KPCC
)
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Winter storm causing damage to Highland
Winter storm causing damage to Highland
The Southland’s intense storms are causing extensive damage throughout the Inland area. A pair of bridge overpasses in Highland collapsed this morning.
The Boulder and Baseline overpasses that link parts of east and west Highland began to crumble into the gushing Santa Ana River early this morning.
A large section of the Boulder Street Bridge pancaked.
Just 100 yards upriver, the Baseline overpass is swamped in a muddy torrent of water.
Mike Corbett watched with some friends from a parking lot that overlooks the swollen river.
“That’s a fast current right there, it’s a bit slower than it was, but at one point see that water coming down from Baseline that’s a good 25-30 mph … wow," Corbett said. "That kind of surprises me.”
Corbett spoke just as patches of blue sky began to poke through wet skies. Authorities continue to block access to the damaged river crossings.
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Occupants of several neighborhoods will have to find alternate routes into parts of west Highland. Crews are also working to clear large mudflows in a Highland neighborhood adjacent to the San Bernardino foothills.
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