A cold destructive storm through Southern California broke on Wednesday bringing drier conditions, but another storm is on the horizon and expected by the weekend.
On Monday night, as rain began pouring over the area, Los Angeles Fire Department and other first responders made a dramatic rescue as they pulled a mother and daughter from a large, water-filled sinkhole in Chatsworth that swallowed two vehicles — one on top of the other.
The two passengers in the other vehicle got themselves out of their vehicle that fell into the sinkhole on Iverson and Zaltana Street under the 118 Freeway.
LAFD crews used a ladder over the hole and dropped a firefighter down who stabilized the vehicles and made the rescue.
The sinkhole which was estimated to be around 15 feet Monday grew in size by Tuesday estimated to now be 40 feet as rainwater continued to collect pushing the cars down deeper.
Firefighters said the entire road is compromised and impassable to traffic or currently able to support emergency vehicles.
The Los Angeles City Council appropriated $500,000 for the sinkhole repair in Chatsworth. The repairs are expected to take three weeks to complete. The money, subject to approval by the mayor, will come from Measure M funding.
All roads in the Sepulveda Basin area were also closed due to flooding. Mudflows, sliding rocks and fallen tree limbs made driving treacherous on canyon roadways out of the San Fernando Valley, frustrating drivers on critical routes such as Laurel, Coldwater and Benedict canyons.
Also Tuesday, the Internal Revenue Service announced that due to the storms and a resulting federal emergency declaration, Southern California residents and business owners will have until May 15 to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
The one-month filing grace period is being offered to residents in areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as qualifying for tax relief due to storms — including individuals and households that reside or have a business in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties.
In response to the seemingly relentless series of storms, President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the entire state of California on Sunday and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide emergency resources.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved nearly $1 million in funding to repair two areas in the city hit hardest by the recent storm. The council appropriated $500,000 for the sinkhole repair in Chatsworth and $450,000 for repairs to Mulholland Drive.
The powerful storm, which tapered off Tuesday afternoon over Los Angeles, Orange and other Southern California counties, dumped more than 10 inches of rain in some areas overnight, with the bulk falling in Ventura County.
Roughly 6 inches of rain fell in Porter Ranch and Woodland Hills, while about 5 inches fell in Bel Air and Beverly Hills. Pasadena got 5 inches, Burbank 2.9 inches and downtown Los Angeles got 2.7 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
More than 7 inches fell in the Sepulveda Canyon. The overnight downpours led to isolated flooding and debris flows, making for a sloppy morning commute and warnings from local authorities for residents to stay off the roads if at all possible. The storm also sporadically knocked out power to thousands of residents.
Dry weather will return Wednesday and Thursday, but more rain is likely to arrive this weekend, possibly as early as Friday. Saturday and Monday are most likely to see significant rainfall, according to the NWS.
In response to the seemingly relentless series of storms, President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the entire state of California last Sunday and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide emergency resources.