Freak Storm Sweeps Jeep Hundreds of Feet Down Riverbed in SoCal Mountains
Torrential rain and hail turned washes into dangerous torrents, stranding a Jeep Wrangler and prompting rescue efforts.
A sudden storm in Southern California's San Bernardino Mountains unleashed chaos Thursday, sweeping a Jeep packed with passengers hundreds of feet down a riverbed as torrential rain and hail battered the region.
The incident occurred in Forest Falls after powerful thunderstorms drenched the mountains, transforming roads and washes into dangerous torrents of mud and debris. Firefighters responded around 4:30 p.m. to a report of a mudslide that carried a Jeep Wrangler, with occupants inside, a significant distance down a riverbed, according to video news service OnScene.TV.
Dramatic footage from the scene showed the mud-covered Wrangler stranded among large boulders in the riverbed. California Highway Patrol officers also assisted in the rescue of the Jeep's occupants. Miraculously, no injuries were reported.
The storm caused widespread disruption across the San Bernardino County mountains. Monsoonal moisture fueled intense thunderstorms that dumped heavy rain and hail, triggering flash flood warnings and creating hazardous driving conditions. In Big Bear, drivers experienced heavy rain and hail, and mud, rocks, and debris spilled onto portions of Highway 18, necessitating the use of bulldozers for clearing.
Multiple lightning strikes were also observed during the thunderstorms. In Yucaipa, heavy downpours led to mud and debris flows near Oak Glen and Potato Canyon roads, resulting in road closures, according to Cal Fire San Bernardino. The Oak Glen Steak House shared video of a torrent of muddy water and debris rushing through the area, prompting the restaurant to temporarily close and advise people to stay away.
Mountain communities are particularly vulnerable to sudden downpours, especially in areas affected by wildfire burn scars, where the lack of vegetation can leave hillsides susceptible to flash floods and debris flows.
These weather events come as Southern California communities prepare for the potential of severe storms during the approaching El Niño season. First responders are advising residents in flood-prone and burn-scarred areas to make early preparations for severe weather.