Rain wreaks havoc on Southland roads
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- Southern California got much-needed rain Monday night, but the recent rainfall caused havoc on the roads.
In Huntington Beach, a BMW plunged into the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Firefighters pulled two people from the nearly submerged Beamer.
The driver told police she swerved on rain-slick Pacific Coast Highway to avoid another car and then lost control of her vehicle.
The California Highway Patrol says the number of accidents typically doubles when it rains.
"Rain doesn't cause accidents. It's how we drive in the rain, so you cannot continue to drive at 65-70 mph when it's raining, you need to slow down," said CHP officer Juan Galvan.
From Orange County to the high desert, showers fell across much of Southern California. In many areas, the rain wasn't heavy, but it was enough to warrant using the windshield wipers and carry umbrellas.
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Stephen Miller got caught in the rain on his way home from dinner.
"I'd like to be in front of a fireplace watching the rain come down," he said. "Nice and warm and cozy."
In Santa Clarita, drivers dealt with light rain that tapered off into sprinkles for the evening commute.
Knowing the Northeast is being blasted with a winter storm, many people in Southern California did not mind a little rain.
"It's effect on me is not that great, other than I was worried about grilling out tonight, that my burgers would get wet," said Rob Hershenson of Stevenson Ranch. "But I know back east, it's a lot worse. I have friends that work in New York City and they got off early today so they could get home in time in anticipation of the blizzard coming."
