Rain hits hard, but few incidents in Glendale
Despite a heavy downpour that saw some parts of the Foothills receive more than two inches of rain, Glendale weathered the second storm system of the week with mostly minor incidents and inconveniences.
According to the National Weather Service, the wet is expected to remain through Saturday and into Sunday afternoon.
Friday’s commute was a challenge on the Foothill (210) Freeway. A big rig collided with the center divider on the eastbound side near La Tuna Canyon Road at about 5 a.m., closing two lanes until almost noon, according to officials from the California Highway Patrol. A second incident a bit more than two hours later snarled traffic on the same side of the same road near Lowell Avenue due to a collision between a jack-knifed truck and three cars, also closing lanes for hours.
Also in the La Crescenta area, nearly 1,400 homes and businesses lost electricity, according to officials from Southern California Edison. Rosemont Middle School’s power went off at around 9:30 a.m., said Assistant Principal Jackie Scott.
She said Glendale Unified School District officials were notified, and administrators walked through the campus to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
“We want to make sure things are as safe as possible,” she said. “We make sure we have flashlights available if students need to use the restroom, typical things you’d do when the power is down at your house, everything except candles.”
District officials said power was restored to the school just before noon.
Further south, near Glendale Community College, city crews temporarily closed the 2100 block of Chevy Chase Drive, diverting traffic due to minor mud flow. The closure was a precautionary measure as crews worked to secure the area, city spokesman Tom Lorenz said.
Earlier this week, public safety officials expressed concerns of potential debris flows in the area of Wilson Terrace and Chevy Chase Canyon. A fire last May scorched 75 acres in the canyon, which prompted fire officials to prepare a debris flow plan for the area. Public Works crews will remain in the area throughout the night to monitor the canyon hillsides.
And south of the Ventura (134) Freeway, the Perkins building in Glendale, which houses Glendale Water and Power and other public services, lost power Friday afternoon, Lorenz said. Crews were working on the outage, which not only affected the City Hall campus in the 600 block of East Broadway, but also impacted 1,400 Glendale Water & Power customers in the area. The Glendale Police Department also lost power, but an emergency generator was able to quickly restore it.
Despite the lack of local serious incidents, public safety officials urged drivers to stay aware throughout the weekend and whenever rainy conditions develop. CHP Lt. Mark Garrett suggested drivers use the middle lane of the freeway when driving, a crown in that lane is designed to run water off the sides.
“You want to avoid the extreme lanes to the right or left,” he said. “It also gives you more of an escape route.”
Lorenz said that both Glendale Water & Power and Glendale Public Works will be working through the weekend, and police and fire will continue their patrols. He advised residents do the following as the stormy weather continues:
- be prepared should the power go out.
- have water and food.
- be prepared should an evacuation be called.
- avoid driving during the evening hours.
- utilize the free sandbags that are available.
- keep debris out of gutters and drains.
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Follow Veronica Rocha on Google+ and on Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA.
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Follow Arin Mikailian on Twitter: @ArinMikailian.
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