A powerful tropical storm that battered San Bernardino County this week destroyed at least three homes, authorities confirmed Saturday, Sept. 20. Damage assessments are ongoing.
The massive storm system moved into the region on Thursday, triggering flooding and mudslides across San Bernardino County’s High Desert and mountain areas.
The mountain communities of Forest Falls and Oak Glen were hit especially hard by damaging mudslides and flooding, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
Amid the chaos, a 2-year-old boy was killed after being swept away while riding with his father in a car in Barstow on Thursday evening.
The storm also resulted in widespread road closures, as well as brief evacuation warnings for the communities of Forest Falls, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and Oak Glen, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Damage assessment
Damage assessment teams had completed their work in Forest Falls and Oak Glen on Monday, Sept. 22, announcing three homes had been completely destroyed by floodwaters and debris flows.
“Heavy rainfall over recent wildfire burn scars triggered flooding and debris slides, prompting a systematic inspection of affected structures,” the agency said in a written statement.
In addition to the three destroyed homes, officials tallies one home with major damage, four with minor damage and five that were considered to be “affected,” fire officials said. One commercial building and four outbuilding also sustained minor damage.
“All told, a total of 14 residential, one commercial and four outbuildings were damaged by the debris flows,” the statement said. “The damage was classified from major — over 50 percent of the structure — to ‘affected,” which is below 10 percent.”
Firefighters remained vigilant as another weather system threatened to douse the Southland.
“With the possibility of wet weather returning this week, our personnel are ready to respond to assist on partnership with our cooperating agencies should the need arise,” the fire department statement said.
A ‘freight train’ of mud
San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesman Shawn Millerick said the flooding conditions were worsened due to recent wildfires, which have left hillsides scarred.
The combination of rainfall and burn scars “created a pretty massive debris flow,” he said. “When this freight train comes through the neighborhood, it’s going to take everything with it.”
Several cars were carried downhill and crushed by the force of the flowing water and dirt, Millerick added.
Due to the geography, Millerick said the county’s mountain communities will undoubtedly face flooding again and urged preparedness.
“This is going to happen again. That’s the message,” he said. “If you live in an community that you would call mountainous, this is a reality… You must stay vigilant and be prepared to go at a moment’s notice.”
(This story has been updated with additional information.)
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: ‘Freight train’ of mud destroys 3 homes in San Bernardino County; assessments continue
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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