Support for LAist comes from
Made of L.A.
Stay Connected

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Videos: El Niño Brings Flooding And Mudslides To Los Angeles

Our June member drive is live: protect this resource!
Right now, we need your help during our short June member drive to keep the local news you read here every day going. This has been a challenging year, but with your help, we can get one step closer to closing our budget gap. Today, put a dollar value on the trustworthy reporting you rely on all year long. We can't hold those in power accountable and uplift voices from the community without your partnership.

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.

Support for LAist comes from

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.

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

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.

Support for LAist comes from

Stay dry out there, and make sure to wear your rain boots!

Most Read