Heavy rains trigger mudslides and flooding in Malibu, California, forcing evacuations and road closures. An LAFD SUV is swept into the ocean, highlighting the destructive power of the weather event.
Mud and debris cascaded off the fire-ravaged hillsides as heavy downpours lashed Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Thursday, sweeping a Los Angeles Fire Department ( LAFD ) SUV with a firefighter inside into the ocean. Video footage captured the harrowing moment the firefighter managed to escape his vehicle and scramble back to safety on the highway after being caught in the torrent of runoff. 'Fortunately, the member was able to exit his vehicle and reach safety with minor injuries.
He was transported to a local hospital as a precaution,' said LAFD Capt. Erik Scott. However, the damaged SUV remained submerged in the ocean as of 11 p.m. Thursday, battered by the relentless waves.'We don't want it to happen, but mother nature always seems to win right here,' remarked Malibu resident Chris Hanson. The mudslide deposited a substantial amount of debris onto the lanes, while buildings were encircled by rising floodwaters. Pacific Coast Highway was closed between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace until further notice due to the severe flooding and mudslides. Firefighters waded through waist-deep water, reporting that some floodwaters had infiltrated the renowned Duke's Malibu restaurant. Even one of the excavators deployed to clear the mud became stuck due to its thick, waterlogged consistency. 'It is just sticky, Malibu clay mud - and it will definitely act like a suction cup and suck you in there pretty good,' explained Hanson.As mudslides were anticipated, 20,000 residents in the Palisades burn area were issued mandatory evacuation orders. Drivers traversing Malibu roads were cautioned to exercise extreme care. 'There is some mud coming down with some debris - and that is definitely worrisome. I definitely kept the car in all-wheel drive,' shared one driver. All four Malibu schools were closed on Friday as a precautionary measure due to the charred cliff sides' instability from the torrential rain, creating hazardous driving conditions.
MUDSLIDE FLOODING MALIBU CALIFORNIA PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY LAFD EVACUATIONS WEATHER
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