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The first major rainstorm of the El Niño rain train has hit Los Angeles, and in some parts of town it has created a great, big mess.
The once-mighty Los Angeles River, now entombed in concrete, has roared back to life, even threatening to spill over at the peak of the deluge.
Standing #waves in the #LAriver ... More water on the way #elnino pic.twitter.com/g8B9Y8uW1m
— Ben Williamson (@ezcoder) January 5, 2016
LA River at #LaurelCanyon #SoCal #NBC4You pic.twitter.com/ChXlcKm8fn
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) January 5, 2016
Between 7 and 11 a.m., the LA River got enough rain to flirt with the top of the flood control channel. pic.twitter.com/5yCkl5h7WX
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) January 5, 2016
There was even a report that a body was spotted in the Tujunga Wash, though firefighters have called off the search.
Recent burn areas, such as the site of the Solimar fire along PCH, are especially vulnerable to mudflows and flooding during a heavy rain. Fires kill the vegetation that would normally help to keep the soil stable.
#ElNino #101FWY Crews clearing drains to remove water & mud on SB 101 2 lanes open to traffic. Backup ugly @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/oaeuvQ43Cj
— Pete Demetriou (@knxpete) January 5, 2016
#ElNino rain triggers minor mud flow in Colby Fire burn area https://t.co/EsxE0sjVH5https://t.co/PLFnc5fymU
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) January 5, 2016
With such an enormous amount of water falling from the sky in such a short amount of time, drains in some areas haven't been able to keep up, flooding some low-lying areas and streets. Streets in the Sepulveda Basin were closed as they became dangerously flooded. Dramatic video from the scene captured a Mini driver escaping his car through the window:
A partially flooded roadway near the rain-drenched Sepulveda Basin left the driver of a Mini Cooper stranded on Tuesday. The driver was able to get out the car through the window before evacuating to the roof. He then jumped into the water and waded safely to the side of the road. The Sepulveda Basin is closed as a result of the El Niño-related storm, which is sweeping through Southern California on Tuesday. Read KTLA's story here: http://on.ktla.com/shm8Q
Posted by KTLA 5 News on Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Sepulveda Basin closed due to flooding at Burbank/405 fwy, Burbank/Hayvenhurst, Woodley/Victory via @LAFD pic.twitter.com/y1BDNgz44U
— Julie Sone (@ABC7JulieSone) January 5, 2016
Be careful out there! #rainyday #BOYLEHEIGHTS pic.twitter.com/bqRIAB8AGi
— 4th5Mart-7Eleven (@4th5Mart) January 5, 2016
According to the National Weather Service, up to an inch of rain has fallen across the city, with the mountains receiving up to two inches. By Friday, some regions could get up to 6 inches of rain for the week.
Stay dry out there, and make sure to wear your rain boots!
La rain ain't messin around 🌂🌂🌂🐳 pic.twitter.com/0pSIboa6Hg
— Hilary Duff (@HilaryDuff) January 5, 2016