Southern California storms disrupt I-5 Grapevine journey with delays

California vacationers confronted a nightmare commute on Christmas Eve as storms battered the area and vacation site visitors surged. Interstate 5 by the Grapevine turned a choke level for hundreds of motorists, with a number of crashes reported between Gorman and the Central Valley.

The first main incident occurred at 5:49 a.m., when a giant rig hearth shut down all southbound lanes. By mid-afternoon, one other crash involving a semitruck and a van closed northbound lanes close to Grapevine Road, damaging guardrails and energy poles. While lanes reopened later, California Highway Patrol warned drivers to count on important delays effectively into Christmas Eve.

“This one is pretty bad,” CHP Officer Gregorio Rodriguez advised the San Francisco Gate. “With the way the traffic is, it’s going to take a couple of hours to get things going.”

Grapevine site visitors situations anticipated to stay poor

As of Wednesday morning, all lanes on I-5 by the Grapevine are open, however site visitors stays closely congested in each instructions. CHP experiences residual backups from Tuesday’s crashes and ongoing storm impacts.

• Southbound: Major delays proceed after the large rig hearth and slick situations.
• Northbound: Lanes reopened in a single day following a multi-vehicle crash, however count on slowdowns as congestion clears.

Motorists ought to anticipate lengthy journey occasions and think about alternate routes equivalent to State Route 99. Officials warn that heavy rain and excessive winds persist, creating hazardous situations for giant automobiles

Alternate routes:

• State Route 99: A major different for north-south journey by the Central Valley.
• Highway 101: Coastal route for vacationers heading towards Santa Barbara and Ventura.
• SR-58 by way of Bakersfield: Connects to SR-99 and provides an east-west possibility for detours.

Real-time updates:

Emergency Resources:

• 511 Travel Info: Dial 511 for statewide street situations.
• Local Evacuation Alerts: Check county emergency administration web sites for updates.

Flash flood warnings and evacuation alerts

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for Santa Barbara and Ventura counties early Wednesday, cautioning residents about quickly rising waters. Doppler radar detected rainfall charges of as much as 1.25 inches per hour, with some areas already seeing 5.5 inches since midnight.

Forecasters warned of flash flooding in creeks, alongside highways, and in low-lying areas, naming Montecito, Carpinteria, and Highway 101 by Gaviota State Park as among the many most susceptible spots. Evacuations had been underway late Tuesday as officers monitored the potential for a bomb cyclone—a quickly intensifying storm system able to producing damaging winds and torrential rain.

Atmospheric rivers proceed to funnel moisture into California, making a conveyor belt of storms anticipated to persist by early January. Burn scar areas face heightened dangers of particles flows, and energy outages stay a priority as winds gust as much as 80 mph in mountain passes.

Driving security ideas amid storm chaos

With rain pounding Southern California and site visitors snarled on main routes, officers urge motorists to take further precautions:

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown: Never drive by flooded roads. Just two toes of shifting water can sweep away most automobiles.
• Slow Down and Stay Alert: Wet pavement and poor visibility enhance crash dangers. Reduce pace and maintain headlights on.
• Plan Ahead: Check CHP and NWS updates earlier than hitting the street. Expect delays on I-5 and Highway 101.
• Avoid Distractions: Focus on the street—rubbernecking at crash websites solely worsens congestion.
• Prepare for Emergencies: Carry water, blankets, and a charged cellphone in case you’re stranded.

Officials emphasize that the majority flood-related deaths happen in automobiles. “Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to recognize the dangers of flooding,” the NWS warned.