Latest storm in parched California triggers mudslide

LOS ANGELES - The latest storm in a string of wet weather hammered Southern California overnight, unleashing heavy rain and triggering a mudslide that blocked a freeway and stranded motorists early Wednesday.

The debris flow happened just before 2 a.m. near the Riverside-Orange County line, reports CBS Los Angeles.

The slide trapped as many as seven cars, but no injuries were reported.

Flash flood warnings remained in effect for many areas as the system moved inland after bringing thunderstorms to the greater Los Angeles area and several inches of snow to the mountains.

A torrent of mud and rocks covered part of State Route 91 in Orange County before dawn. Cars and trucks were stuck for about 90 minutes. The eastbound lanes were expected to remain closed well into the rush hour commute.

The second of back-to-back storms prompted temporary evacuations in Camarillo Springs, which was hit by mudslides last week. This time, the wildfire-scarred hillsides held above the community about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Forecasters warned of possible debris flows in areas that had been burned in recent fires.

Late Tuesday, torrential rain in Carson and Torrance flooded streets and left about a half-dozen cars stranded. But the rains and danger ended quickly, and there were no reports of any injuries.

The state has been hit hard by rain and snow over the past week, but the steady downpours have not ended a three-year drought.

This latest storm moved south after sweeping across Northern California, creating a chaotic evening commute in and around San Francisco.

The National Weather Service warned of possible floods in most of the Bay Area. The storm was expected to bring up to 7 inches of snow to the Central Sierra, with wind gusts of up to 45 mph possible.

The weather service said excess runoff from heavy rainfall was expected to cause ponding on highways, streets and underpasses.

Recent storms have deluged the state. Last week's wind and rainfall caused widespread flooding and power outages in Northern California, including in downtown San Francisco.

Another weather system came through Monday, but forecasters say this week's storms aren't nearly as powerful as the one last week.

While the storms help, much more rain is needed to pull the state out of its severe drought, forecasters say.