201911.28
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Thanksgiving Day in Southern California is soaked with floods and hail; Grapevine re-opens

by in News

A winter storm that blew in Wednesday led to at least one death on Thanksgiving Day, closed numerous roadways and left officials warning of waterspouts, floods, hail and lightning.

A motorist was killed and another injured in a two-vehicle wreck during heavy downpours on Redlands Boulevard in Moreno Valley. The California Highway Patrol said the two cars collided near Ironwood Avenue around 12:30 p.m., and one vehicle rolled over, leaving the driver, whose identity was not immediately released, fatally injured.

The other victim suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

As of 2:30 p.m., the CHP’s investigation was continuing at the scene.

Heavy snow closed the 5 Freeway in the Grapevine early Thursday morning, and by about 1:30 p.m. the CHP was starting to escort southbound traffic through the pass. A little after 3 p.m. northbound lanes were open as well.

See also: New snow gate lets drivers escape Grapevine traffic jams

A severe thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts, gusty wind and hail moved into Orange County on Thursday morning. Hail was spotted as far south as San Clemente.

A flash flood watch is in effect for Orange County coastal areas and Riverside and San Bernardino county valleys through 10 p.m. as scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms continue.

Excessive runoff could cause flooding in small creeks and streams, and in roadways and low-lying areas.

Flooding closed Pacific Coast Highway between Warner Avenue and Seapoint Street near Huntington Beach, according to Caltrans.

A collapsed drain caused the closure of two of four lanes of the eastbound 10 Freeway at Sixth Street in Redlands. Caltrans said workers may close the rest of the lanes if the roadway continues to erode.

The weather service is also forecasting the possibility of “dangerous lightning.”

While a flood advisory for east central Los Angeles County expired at 3:15 p.m., the weather service warns additional advisories may be issued through the evening hours.

In Whittier, police said Turnbull Canyon from Beverly Hills Drive to Skyline Drive is closed because of a sinkhole and was not expected to reopen Thursday.

Minor mud and debris flows also are possible in recent burn areas.

Southern California Edison has announced scattered power outages affecting thousands of customers.

Caltrans is requiring those traveling in the mountains from Wrightwood to Idyllwild to use chains.

At 2:15 p.m. Caltrans announced all roads to Big Bear were closed.

Mt. Baldy Resort is expecting high avalanche danger conditions Thursday and Friday, but plans to open on Saturday.

Snowfall on Interstate 10 near Cabazon and along state Route 74 west of Mountain Center is creating hazardous driving conditions, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A winter weather advisory for the 10 Freeway through the San Gorgonio Pass and northeast Inland Empire runs through 10 p.m. Friday. Snow and slippery road conditions are expected.

In Riverside County, a truck hauling fertilizer on De Luz Road just west of Temecula overturned on the rain-slicked two-lane corridor around 6 a.m., and spilled its load. The driver was not injured.

The Riverside County Department of Transportation closed De Luz between Carancho Road and Terrano Drive because of the environmental hazard. A clean-up crew was summoned to the location, but because of the storm, the site was not expected to be cleared until nightfall, according to reports from the scene.

At about 9 a.m., a drainage pipe on the 60 Freeway at Van Buren Boulevard in Jurupa Valley became jammed, leading to major rainwater pools in several lanes on both the east- and westbound sides of the freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol. A Caltrans crew was sent to repair the drain, and the CHP initiated multiple traffic breaks until the lanes were safe for travel.

Highway 138 was closed at Oasis Road in the high desert community of Pinion Hills because of the snow, as was eastbound Highway 58 near Tehachapi for part of the day.

The CHP also urges caution for those traveling on State Route 14 between Ward Road to Avenue A near Lancaster because of heavy snow.

“In terms of weather and impacts, we had our appetizer yesterday, we’ll feast on the main course today and we’ll have leftovers Friday,” the weather service tweeted.

At about 8 a.m. Caltrans reported the 15 Freeway was open in the Cajon Pass. As of 1:40 p.m., delays for southbound traffic began about Main Street, and delays for northbound traffic started around Glen Helen Parkway.

Not just roadways are affected. Knott’s Berry Farm tweeted it will close at 6 p.m. Thursday due to inclement weather, though its California Marketplace will remain open until 9 p.m.

Showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms are expected to continue into Friday for most Southern California valleys. Highs are not expected to get above the mid-50s in most of the area today, according to the weather service.

Riverside and San Bernardino valleys could see 20 to 30 mph winds with gusts to 50 today, though those are expected to lessen in the afternoon. Snow level there could be down to 2,500 Friday morning.

Saturday should have partly cloudy skies in the valleys, though there is a slight chance of rain Saturday night.

In the mountains, snow accumulation up to 12-18 inches is expected Thursday, with a slight chance of thunderstorms. More snow is expected Thursday night. Wind is forecast with gusts up to 55 miles per hour in the San Bernardino County Mountains on Thursday and 60 mph on Friday. Light snow accumulations are possible in the San Bernardino County Mountains on Friday, as well. Chances of rain and snow are also predicted in the mountains over the weekend.

Wednesday’s precipitation totals had a few records. Fullerton Airport saw 0.31 inches of rain, beating the 0.12 total on Nov. 28, 2004. John Wayne Airport’s 0.54 inches beat 2008’s record 0.34. Ontario International Airport’s 0.48 inches beat 2004’s 0.34 inches.

City News Service contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.