LA rain: Cars stranded in flooded intersection near Burbank airport, 5 Freeway turns into river

Friday, February 24, 2023
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Heavy rain pounded Los Angeles and caused major flooding as a powerful storm moved through the region Friday.

An intersection near Hollywood Burbank Airport was flooded amid heavy rain early Friday afternoon, stranding several vehicles as inbound planes flew overhead.

Vanowen Street was closed at Vineland Avenue after the accumulation of rainwater effectively turned the intersection into a small lake.

At least four cars and a pickup truck were stranded in the rising water. Each vehicle was unoccupied after all drivers and passengers managed to get out to safety on their own, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

A flatbed tow truck was seen on the other side of the yellow police tape that cordoned off the area.

Although a runway was located on the other side of a nearby fence, there were no immediate reports of disruption to airport operations.

Cajon Pass sees whiteout conditions; storm buries vehicles in snow in Lake Arrowhead
Snow buries cars in Lake Arrowhead area as blizzard warning takes effect in San Bernardino mountains


The North Hollywood intersection was just one of many throughout Southern California that were closed due to flooding as a storm continued to dump rain, hail and snow on the region with an intensity not seen in decades.

One of the most striking images of the powerful winter storm happened on the 5 Freeway in Sun Valley, which turned into a muddy river. The flooding causing two northbound lanes to close, and one vehicle was spotted stranded and submerged in water.

WATCH: Major flooding on 5 Freeway in Sun Valley
Major flooding seen on 5 Freeway in Sun Valley


Cars struggled to get through street flooding at Vantage Avenue and Moorpark Street in Studio City.

And on Coldwater Canyon near Ventura Boulevard, so much water from the Santa Monica Mountains caused street flooding.

Meanwhile, heavy snow in the northern reaches of Los Angeles County prompted an early morning closure of the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine. The northbound roadway was closed at Parker Road in Castaic, and the southbound lanes were closed at Grapevine Road.
A blizzard warning -- the first issued in the area since 1989 -- took effect early Friday morning in the Los Angeles County mountains, and is scheduled remain in place until 4 p.m. Saturday.
Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.