Wet Weather Causes Crashes, Road Closure

This week's rainy weather caused the city of Glendale to close Camino San Rafael, a northeast Glendale street that experienced slope failure during last year's heavy rains.

The northeast Glendale street closed when the slope west of Emerald Isle Drive failed. The city recently received an extra $1.1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to shore up and secure the collapsed hillside, and the Glendale City Council approved increasing the scope of work including rock and soil anchors, rock bolts and draped wire mesh.

The work was scheduled for completion in June 2006.

The Crescenta Valley experienced a rain storm Monday and Tuesday, and the National Weather Service called for another through today.

The heavy rains also caused an increase in accidents, according to the California Highway Patrol.

"We always have close to twice the number of accidents, just due to the rain," CHP Officer Christian Cracraft said.

Monday afternoon traffic backed up from the west Foothill (210) Freeway east of near Sunland Boulevard through La Crescenta after a rain-related crash at about 3:30 p.m., when a 1998 Toyota Tacoma truck driven by a 59-year-old Sylmar woman overturned after colliding with a 1985 Ford Bronco driven by a 30-year-old Los Angeles man.

The woman was trapped inside the vehicle. She was transported to Holy Cross Hospital after complaining of pain. The left lane was the only open lane for more than an hour.

Cracraft said a 2003 Ford Focus sustained major damage after the 74-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle on the 210 east of Ocean View Boulevard.

Two other accidents happened Monday night near the transition from the 210 to the Glendale (2) Freeway. In one, a vehicle was overturned and, in another, a vehicle hit the guardrail. No further information was available.

"There are multiple accidents but only a couple were documented. We respond to all accidents," Cracraft said. "We don't have time to document all these accidents."

Officials with Angeles National Forest expected about 10 inches of rain, bringing the potential for flash floods, mud and debris flows, poor visibility, and hazardous conditions in swift mountain streams. They also expected snowfall in elevations above 8,000 feet.

They advise travelers to watch for road hazards on forest highways and suggest taking an alternate route. Heavy rainfall frequently loosens rocks and debris that can unexpectedly flow onto the roadway.

Flash floods can occur within a few hours of severe rain and can catch people unprepared.

For information, call the San Gabriel River Ranger District Office at (626) 335-1251.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) posts current road condition information for Angeles Crest Highway at (800) 427-7623. Closures on Angeles Forest Highway will be posted on the County website ladpw.org/mpm/roadclosure. lnws-weather.0302.jpg-BPhotoInfoCM1OHQ9020060303ivf3xjknPhoto by Charly Shelton(LA)AT A STAND STILL ? There was nothing but lights and delays on the Foothill (210) Freeway in Monday's afternoon commute home during the rain storm. Traffic was backed up from Sunland through La Crescenta due to a traffic accident.