Heavy rain brought flash flooding and landslides to Southern California late last week as the remains of Tropical Storm Mario skirted the Pacific Coast.
Riverside County experienced some of the most severe impacts. Flash flooding carried large debris past homes, businesses and restaurants.
The town of Oak Glen saw how powerful a little bit of rain could be in a dry climate. A popular steakhouse destination in the area captured this video as flooding created a river near the restaurant.
Check it out:
In the video, you can see a wave of brown dirt and debris sweeping across part of a parking lot and some nearby vehicles.
“We are so thankful no one was injured,” they posted on Instagram. “Everyone is accounted for and the building remains standing.”
Unfortunately, there are reports of one death involving a toddler. The two-year-old was in the family’s car when it was swept from a road in Barstow.
Heavy Rain in Death Valley
North of there, in Death Valley National Park, heavy rain closed roadways. The park is famous for its arid climate and intense heat. However, media reports say more than half an inch of rain fell there. The rainfall is triple what the national park usually sees and a quarter of their average annual rainfall.
The National Park Service says staff are still assessing the damage. Crews will need to make repairs to numerous roadways within the park.
A recent social media post said these roads remain closed currently:
- Badwater Road
- North Highway
- West Side Road
- Twenty Mule Team Canyon
- Cottonwood–Marble Roads
- Mustard Canyon
- Keane Wonder Mine Road
“In a desert like Death Valley, even small amounts of rain can trigger flash flooding,” wrote the NPS. “The park’s rocky, steep terrain causes water to run off quickly, creating fast-moving flows of mud, rocks and debris. These floods have covered some roads and have eroded road shoulders, making travel hazardous.”
Officials say drivers should avoid entering any moving water on any roadway.