Dramatic videos: Drivers trapped as mudslides inundate California highways

Dramatic video has emerged of the mudflows that stranded motorists over the last day in the high desert of Southern California.

Motorists trapped in cars recorded deep flows of mud overrunning roadways, in some cases pushing cars and forcing drivers to flee for their lives. In one video, a motorist on California 58 frantically calls 911 as the rising water sent floating cars into one another.

Nearly 200 vehicles, including 75 tractor-trailers, are trapped on California 58 east of Tehachapi in up to 20 feet of mud and debris after torrential rains pummeled the area. Interstate 5 through the Grapevine also remained closed due to mudslides.

In the Elizabeth Lake area, mud surrounded homes. A helicopter was used to rescue two other people trapped in an SUV partially submerged in rushing water. Two horses trapped in a mud flow were also pulled to safety. No injuries were reported, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Leona Valley, just west of Palmdale, was the hardest hit, with rain falling six inches an hour and winds gusting to 60 mph at 4:20 p.m. Thursday, according to the weather service. The storm eventually diminished, but as it moved eastward, it brought record daily rainfall to Palmdale.

Here are a sampling of videos: