The Flooding In East L.A. Yesterday Was Caused By A Mattress, Officials Say

Yesterday's rain caused flooding in East L.A. and Boyle Heights, but officials say it wasn't just the rain—it was a mattress that caused the whole ordeal.

Officials say an abandoned mattress was blocking the inlet to a catch basin, which was a factor in yesterday's flooding during the early evening rainstorm, KTLA reports.

Residents were concerned that the City had actually failed to clean the debris from the storm drains, but officials assured us all that we're El Nino ready—except for that mattress, apparently.

"Unfortunately, we have a lot of debris that floats down with the water. We're asking homeowners to check their property and look for items that could float down in heavy downpours and secure those items," Brian McCormick with the Department of Public Works said.

KTLA reporter Kareen Wynter said that McCormick was going to provide photos of the mattress blockage to the media, but then later said he was unable to show them. "Many people are very skeptical here…they question how that one item could have caused such widespread, extensive flooding," she said.