VIDEO: Rain-swollen creek inches toward homes in Lake Elsinore as storm drenches Southern California
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (KABC) -- A rain-swollen creek in Lake Elsinore nearly overflowed its banks, and its waters threatened to reach area homes on Thursday.
The creek overflowed along Alvarado Street south of Coplasa Street, where heavy equipment was brought in to push mud and debris off the roads. Area residents told Eyewitness News that they have not seen this level of debris flow in 40 years.
MORE: Full list of evacuations in Holy Fire burn area
Water from the swollen creek reached the backyards of several homes, causing some damage to fences and metal siding on the properties.
The fast-moving water took out chunks of land, causing some pieces of property, such as a concrete wall and patio, to fall apart. The creek's water also got close to homes on Plumas Street.
MORE: Latest Southern California forecast
Streets in many parts of Lake Elsinore were covered in mud and water, as people trudged through the muck. Some horses were even stuck in a foot of water.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for parts of Lake Elsinore impacted by the Holy Fire. However, city officials said many are not heeding that warning and opting to stay put.
By the evening, all of the evacuations in the Holy Fire burn areas were downgraded to voluntary as the storm was moving out of the region.
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