Authorities confirmed two people lost their lives in what meteorologists deemed one of the most destructive California storms in recent years.
At least two people lost their lives in what meteorologists deemed one of the most destructive storms of the last several years. A string of deadly storms recently marched through California dealing damage to multiple properties and roads, as well as flooding freeways, killing residents, raising new concerns whether the Oroville dam will hold, and causing mudslides. As opposed to others before it, the most recent storm to have hit California did so at wind speeds of no less than 70 miles per hour in some areas, which accounted for most of the damage.
Several power lines were downed by the powerful winds, including some along a heavily circulated stretch of Sepulveda Boulevard that came crashing down on a car. According to local authorities, the driver lost his life after being electrocuted. Furthermore, California’s major north-south artery, the Interstate 5 was flooded with water as deep as five feet, said Los Angeles police. As a result, rush-hour traffic came to a standstill as officers with California Highway Patrol were redirecting drivers to offramps. However, some truck drivers decided to take advantage of their large vehicles and high clearance and waded through waters that almost rose to their vehicle’s hoods at times.
California authorities say the worst of the violent storm struck in the early afternoon. Hence, public and state work departments dispatched teams to respond to fallen trees, traffic accidents, and flooding throughout the state as a result of heavy rain.
The second death occurred in Victorville, an eastern Los Angeles community, where multiple vehicles were swept away by the rushing water. According to a San Bernardino County’s team of firefighters, one of two drivers in distress was successfully rescued. Unfortunately, the second one died after his car was submerged.
“This is a powerful storm that is going to have a big impact over a short amount of time”, said Derek Schroeter of the National Weather Service.
In some areas, residents were evacuated as the storm was billed as one of the most powerful and destructive forces of nature to have hit in the Southland in years. Meteorologists predicted the storm would dump four to six inches of water in regions with elevated levels of drought.
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