Water falls, hillsides don’t

LA CRESCENTA — While an early-season storm Wednesday caused havoc for motorists on the roadways, local foothills that were scarred during the Station Fire went unscathed.

Public Works officials said the recently-burned foothills fared well during the storm, which was expected to bring a half-inch to an inch of rain.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday advised residents who live in the recent burn areas to monitor reports during the storm because those areas are susceptible to flooding and debris flows.

Glendale crews spent the past several weeks cleaning out La Crescenta and Montrose-area debris basins, Public Works Director Steve Zurn said. In preparation for this year’s winter storms, they also cleared out storm drains during the summer.

Crews also worked on properly engineering and grading the Dunsmuir Sediment Placement site, which served as a deposit location for debris and mud collected from foothill-area basins during recent storms.

“We will remain vigilant in our preparation efforts,” Zurn said, adding that the city’s coordinated response effort is always ready.

Showers throughout the day caused numerous traffic collisions on slick highways and city streets.

California Highway Patrol officials reported slight flooding on the eastbound Ventura (134) Freeway at the northbound Glendale (2) Freeway. An SUV overturned on the Foothill (210) Freeway Wednesday afternoon in La Crescenta, causing few injuries but tying up traffic for miles.

Glendale police responded Wednesday morning to two rain-related traffic collisions and to Roosevelt Middle School, where a student slipped and fell on the slick sidewalk, Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

The student was taken to Glendale Memorial Hospital, he said.