Powerful storms, gusty winds destroy homes across Southern California

The widespread destruction brought by wild weather across Southern California this week has left many residents displaced and picking up the pieces.

Blustery, hurricane-style winds, which hit up to 75 miles per hour in some areas, toppled many large trees that smashed into homes, damaged vehicles, blocked roads and knocked out power for thousands of residents. 

Ongoing rains continued oversaturating soils and exacerbating landslide dangers threatening neighborhoods in San Fernando Valley, Torrance, Rancho Palos Verdes, and more.

Later in the week, a sudden, quick-moving thunderstorm activated warnings across the Southland, bringing a hailstorm, dangerous lightning and even threats of a tornado in some areas.

In mountain communities across San Bernardino and Riverside counties, heavy snowfall blanketed towns, creating dangerous, icy road conditions.

A Beverly Glen resident whose home was severely damaged by a mudslide is working to pick up the pieces while being forced to live without water, gas or general utilities in his home.

Residents on Caribou Lane are still dealing with the muddy mess surrounding their homes. As heavy mud flows cascaded onto properties, many were left with severe damage including homes being pushed off their foundations, water and gas pipes that were burst and an uncontrollable amount of debris burying roads and doorways.

In February, a collapsing hillside washed a home completely off its foundation, sending it crashing into a neighbor’s home across the street. The force of the mudflow quickly destroyed the home’s structure, sending furniture and debris downhill, while burying and damaging several parked cars in its path.

One neighbor, David Christensen, remembered that night as he was suddenly awoken by the commotion around 2 a.m.

“Five houses were affected, six cars were totaled, but not a scratch on any human so it was pretty miraculous,” Christensen said.

Since the destruction, however, neighbors said the cleanup and rebuilding efforts have been painfully slow.

“The cleanup effort has been really slow,” Christensen said. “It took about four-and-a-half weeks just to get crews out here to start the work so they’re digging it out, but then they hit a water main and now the LADWP has to come out. SoCal Gas is saying they need three to eight weeks of planning so it’s been an arduous process, to say the least.”

On Saturday, volunteer crews from Team Rubicon, an L.A.-based humanitarian relief organization, have been working to rebuild homes and repair damages for residents who are elderly or struggling with insurance problems.

“It’s been brutal and it’s been hard because people are displaced and people are trying to get back into their homes and we don’t have gas,” Christensen said.

A winter storm warning remains in effect for SoCal areas above 5,500 feet in elevation. The warning will last through Sunday, March 17 for mountain communities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Periods of heavy snow will cover the area. Snowfall of 1-3 inches is expected at elevations between 5,500-7,000 feet and around 4-7 inches in communities above 7,000 feet.

“Travel could be very difficult,” NWS said. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. There may be breaks in the snow at times, but more consistent snow showers are expected tonight into early Saturday and again Saturday afternoon into Sunday night. Cold overnight lows on Sunday morning may create icy road conditions.”

Anyone planning to travel to higher elevations is advised to keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in their vehicle in case of an emergency.