Mudslides spurred by hurricane remnants trap dozens of motorists in Southern California

Drivers in the Lake Hughes area of California got unexpectedly trapped in their vehicles as a mudslide occurred on Sept. 11 following rainfall from the post-tropical Cyclone Kay.

The mudslide was reported a little before 8 p.m., according to a post on Twitter by L.A. County Fire.

“Several motorists were rescued after their vehicles” got stuck in mud and debris on Pine Canyon Road about 65 miles north of Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, as reported by CNN.

The National Weather Service’s preliminary report said, “a total of 24 vehicles stuck on Pine Canyon road (and) 53 people accounted for. Multiple people have been hoisted.”

Two helicopters using night vision technology were able to rescue eight adults and six children from five sites spread across the flooded area, according to a Twitter post by Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations.

A flash flood warning was also issued for several hours late Sunday night by the National Weather Service of Los Angeles.

Tow trucks were working overnight to pull the trapped vehicles out of the mud, according to KTLA. Pine Canyon Road for the Lake Hughes area is closed until further notice, the California Highway Patrol said, per the local news station.

The American Red Cross urges those experiencing a mudslide to:

• “Be especially alert when driving, watch for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks”
• “Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris”
• “If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow”

This story was originally published September 12, 2022 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Mudslides spurred by hurricane remnants trap dozens of motorists in Southern California."