Roads reopen, most stuck vehicles freed from Calif. mud

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Crews have reopened some Southern California roads that were buried in tons of mud during flash flooding.

Los Angeles County crews on Sunday reopened stretches of five roads in mountain communities about 40 miles north of Los Angeles.

Work continues on two other roads that were inundated as thunderstorms unleashed flash flooding on Thursday.

In nearby Kern County, more than 100 cars, buses, RVs and big-rig trucks were trapped on State Route 58. All but a handful have been pulled free and the work continues.

The region got some drizzle Sunday but there wasn't any serious rain and the cleanup wasn't affected.

From Hal Eisner:

In my 33 years of broadcasting in Southern California, I've seen lots of things happen on our roads and freeways but the mudslide that covered Highway 58 in Kern County last night may well top the list!

There were 18-wheelers buried up to their hoods. Cars and pickup trucks filled with water and mud. There are vehicles there that will never be able to be used again. 192 vehicles all messed up. Some crashed into each other. Miraculously, no one was hurt. 

It happened fast as a downpour just before 6 p.m. Thursday night soaked the hillsides. Officials at a news conference in Lancaster Friday said we should all remember the power of Mother Nature can be extraordinary. A little water can move a big car. In this case, a little moved a big number of cars and trucks.

 

Anyone with questions about their vehicles still on Highway 58 were encouraged to call the CHP field office at (661) 864-4444.

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