The California Highway Patrol responded to twice as many calls as normal Tuesday morning as the storm caused flooding, accidents and potholes.
| Updated
LOS ANGELES, CA — Another atmospheric river poured into Los Angeles County Tuesday, causing flooding and highway accidents overnight and into the morning.
This storm began Monday night and is expected to last well into Wednesday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flood warning for all of Los Angeles County. Due to flooding and crashes on rain-slick roads, the California Highway Patrol came under fire Tuesday morning.
Subscribe
“There are twice as many calls as there would be on a day without rain,” a CHP dispatcher told Patch.
Officer Shanelle Phillips said the California Department of Transportation is also monitoring flooding and potholes that appear near highways due to rain.
Phillips advised travelers to exercise caution while driving on the highways, especially during heavy storms.
“We always recommend staying indoors when it starts raining like this,” Phillips said.
Phillips warned drivers to avoid the carpool lane, as it increases the risk of hydroplaning.
Commuters on US Route 101 in Boyle Heights Tuesday morning forded deep water as heavy rain mixed with a nearby water main, inundating three southbound lanes with up to three feet of water, according to CHP.
The water receded and travel conditions returned to normal in the area late Tuesday morning.
A four-vehicle collision on the 101 Freeway near the Sunset Boulevard entrance ramp at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday caused a car to roll over on its roof, the CHP reported. One person was transported to a nearby hospital for his injuries, according to the CHP.
On Interstate 5 South near Burbank, all lanes were stopped around 10:26 a.m. due to a collision between a tow truck and a car blocking traffic, the CHP reported.
In Antelope Valley, on State Route 14, CHP officers reported that a white pickup truck had turned onto the Avenue K entrance ramp and smashed through a guardrail.
The connector from southbound I-5 to State Route 110 south was closed at 11:59 a.m. due to a mudslide and heavy flooding, according to CalTrans. Crews were on scene and cleanup was underway at 12:08 p.m.
According to CHP Officer Angel Gonzales, officers are monitoring the San Diego North Freeway (405) near Carson for flooding conditions as the storm persists.
Going forward, González said drivers are urged to:
- plan ahead, prepare for potential delays, and leave early;
- slow down and travel at speeds that are safe for road conditions;
- stay alert and drive defensively;
- and use headlights and windshield wipers to increase visibility.
