Mudslides Close Portion of Mulholland Drive Following Record-Setting Storm
Mudslides above and below Mulholland Drive closed a stretch of the road Wednesday a day after a record-setting storm brought steady rain to Los Angeles.
Slides Reported in Scenic Canyon Area
The slides were reported around midday Wednesday between Skyline and Bowmont drives, just south of Fryman Canyon Park. The curving canyon road will be closed in the area for repairs. Video from NewsChopper4 showed crumbling hillsides above and below the road in at least three locations, with mud covering part of the road.
No Injuries Reported
Fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries caused by the mudslides.
City Responds to Multiple Slide Reports
City Councilwoman Nithya Raman wrote in a statement that the city responded to several reports of slides on residential streets near Laurel Canyon, Coldwater Canyon, Benedict Canyon, and Beverly Glen.
Challenges for Drivers
Drivers were advised to avoid the affected areas on Mulholland Drive to ensure their safety.
Storm Brings Unprecedented Rainfall
The storm that arrived on Sunday brought a significant amount of rain, leading to diminishing rainfall late Tuesday. Over the course of Sunday and Monday, downtown LA experienced a record-breaking two-day rainfall total of 7.03 inches, the highest on record for February. This resulted in the closure of several streets and buildings being marked red-tagged and uninhabitable due to mudslides.
Ongoing Rainfall and Flood Warnings
Flood watches are currently in effect for parts of Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, as scattered showers with brief heavy rainfall are still expected. Moreover, more widespread moderate to heavy showers are possible Wednesday night, with the rain forecast extending throughout the week. Los Angeles County is expected to receive approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain by Friday, with mountain communities receiving more. This additional rainfall also increases the risk of further mudslides on already saturated hillsides. The Los Angeles Fire Department has already received over 300 reports of slides between Sunday and Tuesday.
