Flash Flooding Closes Freeways In Colorado River Valley

BLYTHE (CBSLA.com) – Heavy thunderstorms today caused flash flooding on roads in the Colorado River Valley on the eastern margins of Riverside County Saturday, when several washes overflowed, swamping motorists.

At 11:16 a.m., California Highway Patrol reported that four people in a sedan were trapped when their vehicle became stuck in flood waters on U.S. 95 near the Water Wheel Resort. About 10 minutes later, a second car with two people was reported mired in the same area.

Riverside County Fire Department water rescue teams responded to the incidents.

According to CHP, at least two highways flooded where they cross washes: U.S. 95 at Second Avenue and State Route 78 at 22nd Avenue. Officers closed the roads due to their impassibility. Highway 62 was reportedly flooded east of 29 Palms, as far as Parker, Arizona.

Meanwhile, a chance of showers and thunderstorms has prompted a Flood Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday night for the Los Angeles County mountains -- excluding the Santa Monica range -- and the Ventura County mountains. It includes the San Fernando, Antelope, and Santa Clarita valleys, Universal City, Burbank, Northrdige, Pasadena, San Gabriel and Pomona.

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