Flooding Freeways Cause Chaos In Los Angeles Tuesday

LOS ANGELES, CA — Yet another atmospheric river poured over Los Angeles County Tuesday causing flooding and crashes on roadways overnight and throughout the morning.

This storm started 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 the rain-slicked roads, the California Highway Patrol was slammed Tuesday morning.

"There are twice as many calls than there would be than on a day with no rain," a CHP dispatcher told Patch.

Officer Shanelle Phillips said the California Department of Transportation is also monitoring flooding and potholes popping up near roadways due to the rain.

Phillips advised that travelers remain cautious while driving on roadways, especially during heavy rainstorms.

"We do always recommend when it starts raining like this to stay home," Phillips said.

Phillips warned drivers to avoid the carpool lane as it heightens a driver's risk of hydroplaning.

Travelers on U.S. Route 101 in Boyle Heights Tuesday morning waded in deep waters as the heavy rains mixed with a nearby water main break, flooding three southbound lanes with up to three feet of water, according to CHP.

The water receded and traveling conditions returned to normal in the area by late morning Tuesday.

A four-vehicle collision on the 101 Highway near the Sunset Boulevard onramp at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday morning saw one car flip onto its roof, the CHP reported. One person was transported to a nearby hospital for their injuries, according to the CHP.

On Interstate 5 South near Burbank all lanes were stopped at about 10:26 a.m. due to a collision between a tow truck and a car blocking traffic, the CHP reported.

In the Antelope Valley on State Route 14, CHP officers reported a white pick-up truck had spun around at the Avenue K onramp and broke through a guardrail.

The Southbound I-5 connector to State Route 110 south was closed as of 11:59 a.m. due to a mudslide and heavy flooding, according to CalTrans. Teams were on scene and cleanup was underway as of 12:08 p.m.

Elysian Park: Southbound I-5 connector to southbound to State Route 110 right lane closed due to mud slide & flooding. Please #BeWortkZoneAlert. pic.twitter.com/loqk0kunYL
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) March 21, 2023

According to CHP officer Angel Gonzales, officers are monitoring the San Diego (405) Freeway North near Carson for flooding conditions as the storm persists.

Going forward, Gonzalez said drivers are urged to:

• plan ahead, prepare for possible delays, and leave early;
• slow down and travel at speeds that are safe for the road condition;
• stay alert and drive defensively;
• and utilize headlights and windshield wipers to increase visibility.