In the third of a string of monsoon days in mountain weather, Highway 38 and Valley of the Falls Drive were again affected on the east side of the San Bernardino Mountains. This was only days after the #valleyfire burn area flooded and caused the massive mudslide on Highway 38 just a few hundred yards away from Valley of the Falls Drive.
Just after noon on Thursday, the California Highway Patrol received reports of a 2 foot high bank of mud and debris flowing cross Valley of the Falls Drive. San Bernardino County sheriffs were on scene and reporting that a small passenger vehicle was stuck in the mud flow. 911 dispatchers then received a call from the vehicle driver who reported they were indeed stuck in their vehicle in the middle of the mud flow.
San Bernardino County Roads and Caltrans worked together to try to clear the mud, and as of 2:15 pm, Valley of the Falls Drive was open to residents only with ID.
Sandy Wood, a resident of Forest Falls who owns 8am Photography, sent the following pictures and video from the scene:
If you get a chance to you can show your appreciation to Sandy for taking the time out to provide these pictures and photos from the Forest Falls incident by visiting her Facebook page and sending her a thank you message.
https://www.facebook.com/8amphoto/
From the National Weather Service:
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.