Highway into popular California lake closes indefinitely after storm

"A significant route to Big Bear Lake, one of the most popular lakes in Southern California, is closed indefinitely after a cataclysmic storm last week. On Sept. 18, a major storm ripped through Southern California, triggering floods and mudslides in the San Bernardino Mountains. The storm closed over 30 miles of Highway 38 due to excessive mud and debris while washing out a significant portion of the highway."

""The combination of Tropical Storm Mario, heavy rainfall, and the El Dorado burn scar has left a trail of destruction in its wake, and one of the most dramatic impacts is the severe washout of SR-38," Caltrans said on social media. Caltrans told ABC7 (KABC-TV) that the highway will remain closed indefinitely. In a comment on Facebook, Caltrans said it was unlikely the road would be open in time for snowboarding season. Alternative routes to Big Bear include Highway 330 through Running Springs and Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley. Repairs began on Tuesday."

""Unfortunately, it was a lot more extensive than we first thought," Caltrans spokesperson Eric Dionne told KABC-TV. "Just from seeing the images on Thursday night, [there's a] complete washout of the road. So a lot of material came down from the El Dorado Fire burn scar." The storm also trapped 10 people in their cars, prompting rescues. Many residents in the area were forced to shelter in place."

On Sept. 18 a major storm ripped through Southern California, triggering floods and mudslides in the San Bernardino Mountains. Over 30 miles of Highway 38 closed due to excessive mud, debris and a significant washout that washed out a large portion of the roadway. Caltrans attributes the mudslides to runoff and debris from the 2020 El Dorado Fire burn scar and says repairs began but the highway will remain closed indefinitely. The road is unlikely to reopen in time for snowboarding season, with Highway 330 and Highway 18 serving as alternate routes. The storm trapped 10 people in vehicles and forced many residents to shelter in place.

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