Heavy rains, including those from the diminishing Hurricane Dolores, are hitting portions of drought-stricken California, with devastating results–from the collapse of a bridge on eastern California’s I-10 highway, to sinkholes and floating sheds in San Diego.
The I-10 bridge collapse reported by KTLA closed the interstate Sunday in Desert Center, in an area southeast of Joshua Tree National Park. According to California Highway Patrol, a 30-by-50 foot chunk of the bridge is simply gone.
The news report shows the shocking image of a pickup truck that went over the edge, with the driver trapped inside. A passenger managed to escape. The trapped driver and firefighters were faced with “rapidly rising water” and falling debris as they cut out and rescued the person.
Just under 50 miles east of Indio, a bridge on the west side of the freeway was determined to be impassable due to questions over whether it was structurally sound, the report noted.
The I-10 freeway is being evaluated, and will be closed for an “extended” period, according to Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty’s Sunday evening tweet. CHP tweeted that the closure would be “long term,” and provided alternate routes.
On Monday morning, a massive sinkhole appeared in San Diego, compromising trolley tracks, according to local ABC News affiliate 10 News.
The remnants of Hurricane Dolores have flooded San Diego so heavily that the city shattered previous precipitation records over the weekend.
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana
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