A mudslide in the Inland Empire has closed off several mountain roads. The slide occurred amid what the National Weather Service described as heavy rain from thunderstorms.
A flash flood warning was in place Tuesday until 7:30 p.m. for San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Valley of the Falls Drive at Momyer Creek Trail was closed. Oak Glen Road and Potato Canyon Road were also closed, and residents should avoid the area, authorities said.
The Yucaipa Police Department, which announced the road closures in a social media post at around 6 p.m., said the roads were closed for an “unknown amount of time” due to the mudslide.
Gloria Orejel, a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, said in an email there was no threat to homes or residents.
It was not immediately clear if the mudslide was caused by flash flooding.
Earlier Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service in San Diego said thunderstorms were already dumping heavy rain across the region, with more rain on the horizon.
There could be “life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses,” the agency said in the warning.
The agency told drivers: “Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads,” as most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
“In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain,” the agency said. “Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.”
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