Wet, wild and windy
One of the strongest storms in six years strikes SCV with heavy rainfall
One of the strongest storms of the past six years hit Southern California on Friday, bringing heavy rainfall, high winds, weather advisories, downed trees and power lines, road closures and school cancellations with it.
Light rainfall began in the area Thursday evening and continued to increase in strength throughout Friday, with the heaviest rain falling in the afternoon and evening.
According to National Weather Service two-day rainfall totals, 2.76 inches of rain fell in Newhall, 2.04 inches fell in Saugus and 2.96 fell in Del Valle, as of 4 p.m. Friday.
A Flash Flood Warning was issued for the Santa Clarita Valley Friday afternoon and continued until 8 p.m.
“Automated gauges in the advisory area have recorded rainfall rates up to three quarters of an inch per hour and up to a third of an inch in just 30 minutes,” the NWS said in a statement. “This will continue to cause urban and small stream flooding in the advisory area.”
Residents in flood-prone areas were advised to “Shelter in Place.” In addition, residents in Sand Canyon, Placerita Canyon, Iron Canyon and areas of Val Verde, Little Tujunga and Agua Dulce/Acton were warned that they may not have access in or out of their neighborhood during the storm.
Some residents near Placerita Creek were stranded in their neighborhoods after swiftmoving, muddy water shut down access to the east side of the creek.
“One guy who lives on the bad side of the creek said he’s not worried because he’s got enough beer to last him a month,” said Meadview resident Gina, who lives right next to the creek, on the “good” side.
Parked trucks and cars lined both sides of the typically vacant rural road on the west side of the creek as the “river” cut one part of the neighborhood off from the other.
“My buddy got stuck here the last time it flooded. The mud just folded in on him,” said one young motorist on Meadview. “He’s not going to try it this time.”
Steven Frasher, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, said that the department strongly discourages anyone from crossing flooded roadways and puts up road closure signs at treacherous areas.
By late afternoon, heavy steady pounding rain created mudslides in both ends of the Santa Clarita Valley where summer brushfires stripped the soil of any vegetation. As of 5 p.m., mudslides were reported on Sand Canyon Road near Iron Canyon Road, and across the Old Road at Calgrove.
A gas line snapped by rain-swept mud flows in Sand Canyon late Friday afternoon prompted fire officials to begin evacuating homes in the area of Iron Canyon road east of Sand Canyon Road.
High winds
Along with the violent rain were high winds at 25 to 35 miles per hour (mph) with gusts recorded at up to 80 mph, according to the National Weather Service. A Wind Advisory was also issued for the area and was in effect until Friday at 10 p.m.
The winds brought an increased risk of downed trees and power lines, property damage and power outages and made driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles and vehicles towing trailers.
More than 30 trees came down on streets, cars and residences Friday. One fell across McBean Parkway, partially blocking eastbound lanes, just east of California Institute of the Arts, and one fell onto an occupied vehicle near McBean Parkway and Tournament Road.
Another fell onto an apartment building on Crossglade Avenue in Canyon Country, breaking an upstairs window and letting rain into Kurt Bryant’s home.
Bryant, who was not home during the storm, said his next plan was to call the insurance company and HOA, and cover up his broken window.
“It’s leaking inside in about four of five spots and took out one of my windows upstairs,” he said. “No one is hurt, everyone is safe so it’s OK.”
The strong winds and downed trees also brought down power lines throughout the city, causing isolated power outages.
At 5:01 p.m. Southern California Edison’s website, reported that 276 customers were without power in the Newhall area of Santa Clarita.