Mudslides force road closures in California
Heavy rain across California caused travel problems across the state as mudslides shut down major roadways.
Several mudslides were reported in central California, largely in Santa Cruz and Mariposa counties. Several highways, including Highway 17 and Highway 1, were shut down for a time across the region.
The Bay Area was hit the hardest by the mudslides. Emergency crews had to rescue several motorists who had avoided barriers and driven into flooded roadways.
One truck even flipped after being hit by a mudslide Tuesday afternoon along Highway 17 near Santa Cruz, temporarily closing both directions.
A house in the San Francisco area was swept into the road as a mudslide took over the entire building. Fortunately, the family made it out in time without any injuries.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the highway was still covered in dirt and debris as rock slides continued to fall.
According to local media, as of 3 a.m. PST Wednesday, the only major roadway still closed in the Bay Area is Palomares Road in Fremont due to the localized flooding and mudslides.
Mudslides shut down roads across California, including the corner of Redwood Road and Browns Valley Road in Napa County on February 7, 2017. (Photo/Twitter/@CountyofNapa)
