With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
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.
Videos: El Niño Rains Flood The 5 Freeway As Deep As Four Feet
Heavy flooding from El Niño rains shut down multiple lanes of the 5 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley this afternoon making travel treacherous.
Shortly after noon on Wednesday, all lanes except for the north and southbound HOV lane of the 5 were completely flooded near Sheldon Street and Lankershim Boulevard in Sun Valley, reports KTLA. California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert around 1 p.m., at which point around 3 to 4 feet of water had flooded the number 4 and 5 lanes of the southbound side, and roughly 4 feet was covering the number 3 and 4 lanes on the northbound side. The on- and off-ramps at Sheldon were also covered in about 3 feet of water and had to be closed.
As a result, drivers were forced to very slowly navigate the waters of the two remaining lanes, trying to avoid getting stuck in the standing floodwater.
Update: All lanes on the 5 Freeway near Sheldon Street and Lankershim Boulevard in Sun Valley have been been reopened after they were closed due to flooding, according to Caltrans. Christina Pascucci sent us this video from the scene a short time after CHP issued a SigAlert. Read KTLA's story here: http://on.ktla.com/CS3qA
Posted by KTLA 5 News on Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Sponsored message
Whoa.
#CHP limits I-5 traffic to one lane in each direction due to massive flooding on all lanes in Sun Valley #ElNiño pic.twitter.com/cxc5UzEw9Z
— Brian van der Brug (@bvdbrug) January 6, 2016
Seriously, it's like the Jungle Cruise out there:
Take a look @CaltransDist7 in waist deep water earlier today trying to clear up drains. Thanks @CaltransDist7! pic.twitter.com/mnuny5v0BT
— CHP PIO - LA County (@CHPsouthern) January 6, 2016
And the bird's-eye-view:
Sunland 5 frwy in both directions flooded. Only one lane each direction open pic.twitter.com/HPf52wipXN
— Kevin Takumi (@KevinTakumi) January 6, 2016
Sky 5 picture of flooded freeway in #SunValley. @ChristinaKTLA on the ground with the latest. pic.twitter.com/Oys1jAkXbj
— Jennifer Thang (@jenniferthang) January 6, 2016
Sponsored message
Caltrans crews worked to unclog drains along the side of the road and clear the water. According to CHP, the flooding occurred because so much rain fell in a short amount of time and debris clogged the drains.
@CaltransDist7 working hard opening up all lanes! pic.twitter.com/uXvduEx6Vp
— CHP PIO - LA County (@CHPsouthern) January 6, 2016
By 3 p.m., the number 1 lane (next to the HOV lane) was reopened, according to Caltrans and the rest of the lanes were reopened shortly after that.
I-5 Flooding: All lanes open btwn Sheldon and Lankershim in North #LA. Remember #WiperonLightsOn #LArain #Caltrans pic.twitter.com/JQeKciZRGw
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 6, 2016
Be safe out there!
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
