Remnants of Tropical Storm “Kay” cause severe mudslides in California

The remnants of Tropical Storm “Kay” brought more flash flooding to parts of Southern California on September 12 and 13, 2022, with mud and debris flows sweeping through three San Bernardino County communities.

Some residents of Oak Glen were ordered to evacuate after mudslides and debris hit Forest Falls on Monday afternoon, September 12.

The order covers those living north and south of Oak Glen Road, from Casa Blanca Road to the county line, and south from Wild Lilac Point to Wildwood Canyon, deputies said. The number of Oak Glen residents ordered to evacuate was not available Monday night.¹

An evacuation center has been set up at Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Ave. in Redlands.

Forest Falls residents were ordered to shelter in place.

Mudslides in the Lake Hughes area trapped dozens of motorists after heavy rains hit the region Sunday evening, Septemer 11.

Kay delivered nearly a year’s worth of rain across Southern California last week, shattering daily rainfall records.

San Diego registered 16 mm (0.63 inches) of rain on Friday, September 9, 2022, breaking the previous record of 2.28 mm (0.09 inches) set in 1976 and marking its wettest day since December 14, 2021, when 24.8 mm (0.98 inches) of rain was registered.²

According to the Desert Research Institute’s Western Regional Climate Center, the possibility of the city receiving 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) of precipitation on a single September day is nearly zero.

Kay also marked the closest approach to Southern California from the Pacific Ocean in the last 50 years.

References:

¹ Evacuation ordered ahead of possible mud, debris flows in San Bernardino County – Los Angeles Times – September 12, 2022

² Tropical Storm “Kay” delivers nearly a year’s worth of rain across Southern California – The Watchers – September 13, 2022

Featured image: Mudslide hit Oak Glen, California on September 12, 2022. Credit: USA Today (stillshot)