Mudslide Fears Still Loom For Hills Of Burbank

BURBANK (CBSLA) — Crews have been working all day to clear mud and debris from homes in Burbank, after water more than five feet deep washed passed residences Tuesday morning.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered just as the area was hit by a mudslide that tossed and crushed several cars. Country Club Drive was without power, gas and water service.

"Within minutes there were cars washing down, power lines washing down, huge boulders coming down, huge trees coming down," resident Heidi Donato said. "It was insane."

La Tuna Canyon residents who stayed behind needed help from LAFD.

LAFD Capt. Branden Silverman asked that residents listen to evacuation orders and have all belongings packed in their cars in the event of an emergency.

"That clears the way for emergency vehicles to respond to the area," Silverman said. "We need to keep our priorities on saving all the property you're worried about leaving behind."

Southern California Gas Company officials earlier Tuesday urged any residents on Country Club Drive in Burbank who had not evacuated to leave immediately after confirming the storm caused a "significant gas leak."

Crews are on the scene working to repair the gas leak, but SoCalGas says there's no timetable on when it will be fixed.

An evacuation center was set up at McCambridge Recreation Center, 1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

Residents were advised that if they did not evacuate, first responders may not be able to reach them in an emergency due to impassable roads. Drivers were also warned to not try to cross or drive through any significant mud, debris or fast-flowing water.

One lane of La Tuna Canyon Road from the 10500 block to the 9100 block was temporarily re-opened as of 10 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday in order for residents to access their homes.

A hard closure will resume at 6 a.m. Wednesday to allow the crews to continue the safe removal of mud and debris caused by the mud flow.