Flooded Laguna Canyon Road Reopened

Laguna Canyon Road was reopened in both directions Friday after flooding in the past week forced the route to be closed, frustrating motorists commuting between beach cities and inland locales.

The road, also designated California 133, flooded March 20 when small lakes on both sides of the route overflowed. It was closed from the San Diego Freeway to El Toro Road. The route was later restricted to one-way controlled traffic along the same stretch during morning and afternoon commute hours but remained closed completely at other times.

Crews from the state Department of Transportation and Laguna Beach had worked round the clock to pump water off the road and place sandbags along the route.

Meanwhile, a much-anticipated spring storm finally descended on the county Friday but caused no major damage except for a few quirks, such as a one-foot-deep pothole on the San Diego Freeway that caused flat tires for at least 10 morning commuters.

Showers started about 9 p.m. Thursday and lasted until 7 a.m. Friday, according to WeatherData. Inc., which provides forecasts to The Times.

During the 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Friday, 0.72 inches of rain fell in Irvine, 0.70 inches in Anaheim, 0.47 inches in Santa Ana and 0.30 inches in El Toro, according to WeatherData.

The storm brought the year-to-date precipitation total to 14.1 inches at the Civic Center in Santa Ana, about three inches above normal. This time last year, 11.58 inches were recorded.

By Friday, the storm had moved on to Arizona, but partly cloudy skies will remain for the weekend, said Steve Burback, a meteorologist at WeatherData.

High temperatures today should be in the middle 60s along the coast and in the lower 70s inland, Burback said.

Sunday morning could bring fog, but it should dissipate during the afternoon.