Key Takeaways
- Heavy rains caused mudslides and damage in Wrightwood, California, with thousands of SoCal Edison customers losing power
- Evacuation Warnings in Wrightwood were lifted on Friday, allowing the community to assess the damage from the Christmas Eve storm
- The storm affected areas previously impacted by the Bridge Fire, with burn scars softening the ground and increasing the risk of mudslides
- Residents in Wrightwood and Lytle Creek are dealing with damage, including destroyed homes and inaccessible roads
- Authorities are working to restore power and assess the damage, with some areas still inaccessible due to the storm
Introduction to the Storm
The recent Christmas Eve storm brought heavy rains to Wrightwood, California, causing mudslides and damage to the community. The storm was particularly devastating, with thousands of SoCal Edison customers losing power and many homes being affected by the mudslides. The community is now beginning to assess the damage and work towards recovery. As Janelle Hall from Phelan noted, "We came up last night, and we kind of knew it had happened, but we didn’t know how bad. So, this is the first time I am seeing it in the daylight. So, it’s bad."
The Impact of the Storm
The storm had a significant impact on the community, with mudslides causing damage to homes and infrastructure. Video footage shows Oriole Road buried under a river of water, mud, debris, and charred wood, with several feet of mud burying cars and coating streets in rain-soaked sludge. The area was previously impacted by the Bridge Fire, which softened the ground and increased the risk of mudslides. As Ryan Beckers with San Bernardino County Fire noted, "With the area being softened, so to speak, by the burn scars from the fall of 2024, the area holds less water. So, the natural channels get overwhelmed."
Community Response
Despite the challenges, the community is coming together to support each other. At The Village Grind coffee shop, a generator is keeping the coffee flowing and neighbors connected. As Wrightwood resident Jeff Lord noted, "The Village Grind is kind of the center of Wrightwood for a lot of that. Greg stays open through a lot of these emergencies, and come down here and hang out, catch up with your neighbor." The community was prepared for the storm and the potential impacts, but as Lord noted, "At a certain point when it is more than a foot of water, sandbags aren’t going to help you."
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
The recovery efforts are ongoing, with authorities working to restore power and assess the damage. Nearly 3,000 Southern California Edison customers remain without power, and some areas are still inaccessible due to the storm. Highway 2 and the 138 Freeway are open, but some sections will need to be reinforced. Power lines in several areas remain precariously supported by line trucks as repairs begin. Local authorities are remaining on high alert as the rain continues to fall, with hand crews on standby in case something does occur again.
Damage Assessment
The damage assessment is ongoing, with officials estimating that about 50 homes were damaged from the mudslide in Wrightwood. The estimate could go up as the assessment is completed. In Lytle Creek, residents are also dealing with damage, with more than 100 residents of the Happy Jack neighborhood cut off from the rest of the community after their only access road washed away. As resident Amber Guerrero noted, "It got so bad that with the rainfall and the rocks and debris. It completely washed away the bridge." Residents are the only people being allowed in Wrightwood in the meantime, as authorities work to ensure the community’s safety.
Conclusion
The recent storm in Wrightwood, California, has had a significant impact on the community, causing mudslides and damage to homes and infrastructure. The community is coming together to support each other, and authorities are working to restore power and assess the damage. As the recovery efforts continue, it is essential to prioritize the community’s safety and well-being. With the storm highlighting the importance of preparedness and community resilience, it is crucial to learn from this experience and work towards building a stronger, more resilient community.