All southbound lanes of 5 Freeway to open after debris flow

All southbound lanes were expected to be opened on the 5 Freeway in the Sun Valley area after a huge debris flow shut down traffic in both directions and triggered massive rush-hour jams.

The California Highway Patrol said the three of four southbound lanes had been opened and that the fourth lane was expected to be ready for traffic about 9 p.m.

Two northbound lanes remained closed and it was not immediately clear when they would be opened, the CHP said.

Initially, one southbound lane of the freeway remained open, but a full shutdown near Sunland Boulevard was ordered shortly before 4 p.m. as crews worked to clear the lanes.

Earlier Wednesday, a CHP unit at the scene reported “tons of water” and “all lanes covered in rocks, debris and mud.”

Water apparently overflowed from a nearby storm drain as the first storm of the season brought rain and high winds to the area.

Some cars were stranded, according to television news footage and CHP reports from the scene.

ALSO:

Hollywood sign tourists, sightseers annoy local residents

49er Aldon Smith charged with three felonies, expected to surrender

Hannah Anderson: Kidnapper DiMaggio ‘made me play Russian roulette’

Twitter: @LAJourno
robert.lopez@latimes.com