The Tehachapi Mudslides

[bradl]

Props to Tehachapi Life Photography for braving the trek out to get the pictures of this.

For those not in the know, there was a storm over last weekend that resulted in some horrendous mudslides, closing California State Highway 58, the shortest route that connects the California/Arizona/Nevada high desert area (Las Vegas, Kingman, Laughlin, Barstow) to the Central California agricultural region (Bakersfield, Fresno, Visalia, Modesto). This would mean that anyone driving to the Northern California area would need to drive up to Reno, NV, or through the northern section of the Los Angeles area then drive up; either way is long. But those mudslides were crazy.

From Gizmodo:

http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com/inside-californias-disastrous-mudslides-1737348762

Inside California's Disastrous Mudslides
By Wes Siler - 10/16/2015
Filed to: Disaster Porn

Road access to the mudslides that trapped hundreds of cars in California last week was impossible, so a photographer strapped on a backpack and hiked 10 miles in to bring you these photos.

“It took a 10 mile hike to get to this massive mudslide, but it was so worth it,” writes Tehachapi Life Photography. “This major mess of mud spanned about half a mile, and with over 50 cars, trucks, and big rigs. Some of these people have been out here for nearly 20 hours, and are still there. The Caltrans are working steadily to clear just a single lane, then they would need to pull out the large vehicles that are half buried. Such an amazing sight to see, and was pleased to take photos to show you all. A shout out to those men and women who are there to help with this large clean up job.”

This is the mudslide on California 58 in Antelope Valley that trapped approximately 200 vehicles. It closed the highway between exit 165 and Cameron Road. No one was killed.

All photos: Tehachapi Life Photography, reprinted with permission.

There are more on Tehachapi Life's Facebook page, but these are for starters. Anyone good with a shovel?

BL.

 

[mobilehaathi]

If this coming El Niño brings rain up to its potential, SoCal is going to get utterly buried in mud.

Oh boy...

 

[bradl]

If this coming El Niño brings rain up to its potential, SoCal is going to get utterly buried in mud.

Oh boy...

And this is barely the start of it. with the drought comes the issue of short saturation. In having lived in Las Vegas during monsoon season, where it would flood after 30 minutes straight of rain, imagine how the entire state of California after 4 years of such drought. Areas like Tehachapi would normally get rain and snow, but as parched as it's been, that's just a preview of what may happen in the Sierras, where even the permasnow is gone. Add that in with the Butte, Placer, and Lake County fires, where there is no brush to stop the flow, it's going to be terrible.

BL.

 

[mobilehaathi]

And this is barely the start of it. with the drought comes the issue of short saturation. In having lived in Las Vegas during monsoon season, where it would flood after 30 minutes straight of rain, imagine how the entire state of California after 4 years of such drought. Areas like Tehachapi would normally get rain and snow, but as parched as it's been, that's just a preview of what may happen in the Sierras, where even the permasnow is gone. Add that in with the Butte, Placer, and Lake County fires, where there is no brush to stop the flow, it's going to be terrible.

BL.

Yep, precisely. The drought will exacerbate the problems.

 

[Beachguy]

Thanks for this. I have a good friend in Tehachapi and she sent me a few pictures but nothing like these.

 

[rhp2424]

Thank you for posting this. I grew up, and now again live, about 30 minutes from where this occurred.

 

[JamesMike]

I think it is going to be a bad winter for CA.