Mudslides sweep away cars, damage homes near LA

Mudslides sweep away cars, damage homes near LA
AP

By THOMAS WATKINS Thomas Watkins – 15 mins ago


LOS ANGELES – Thunderous mudslides swept away cars and pushed furniture out of homes and into the street in the foothills north of Los Angeles Saturday as an intense winter storm brought down hillsides in wildfire burn areas.

Up to ten homes and dozens of vehicles were seriously damaged and mandatory evacuation orders were in place for some homes in the La Canada Flintridge area after heavy rains overflowed debris basins, carried away cement barricades and swept cars into storm drains.

"We've got crews going door to door to tell residents to get out," said Los Angeles County Fire Insp. Frederick Stowers. "Some of the roads up there are a complete mess."

At least a foot of debris was reported in some houses. Family photographs, furniture and other personal items were spotted among the rocks and debris that flowed into yards and streets.

Leslie Fernandes, 49, said he awoke in his La Canada Flintridge home just before 5 a.m. to a thunderous rain. "I heard a roar and a rumble and I went to look outside and there were cars swept down the street," Fernandes said.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100206/ap_on_re_us/us_california_storm

posted a youtube video of a mudslide. it was scary.

One said that no one came to his door in the middle of the night and TOLD him the mud was coming. Now, I'm assuming that given the value of the homes in that area, most of the residents are pretty well educated. That said, anyone who chose to stay, KNOWING that more possibly heavy rain was on the way are IDIOTS.

Actually, I'm in Burbank and my clock said 4:40. My thoughts and prayers to those living in these foothills.