California Storm - Washes Away New Sand

Long Beach Press Telegram ^ | Jan 4, 2004 | Kristopher Hansen

[gortklattu]

Southern California was pounded by yet another storm Sunday and early Monday that left roadways flooded, motorists stranded due to snow, homes without power and many wondering when it will all end.

In the Tejon Pass on Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles, more than 2 feet of snow closed the state's major north-south highway for most of Monday, stranding thousands of unprepared motorists.

Since July 1, Long Beach has received nearly 11 inches of rain, well above the 4-inch average for this time of year. Annual rainfall in the city, measured between July 1 and June 30, is 14 inches.

Downtown Los Angeles has already received nearly 14 inches, about the same amount it receives during an average year, while snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Lake Tahoe topped 9 feet over the weekend.

Heavy rain in Long Beach left enough standing water on the southbound 710 to stall several vehicles attempting to pass through. CHP officers responded to the scene at Pacific Coast Highway about 12:30 a.m. and found several lanes flooded, said California Highway Patrol Officer Vince Ramirez.

North of Los Angeles, about 2 feet of snow shut down Interstate 5 at Tejon Pass, stranding some travelers, and the CHP said the state's main north-south highway was expected to stay closed there all Monday. The elevation at the pass is about 4,200 feet.

In Goleta, near Santa Barbara, surging high tides washed away tons of sand deposited last year as part of a $2 million beach-preservation project.

Most of the 80,000 cubic yards of sand used to curb erosion has been swept away, leaving a jagged wall of sand and dirt and forcing officials to close part of the coastline as a safety precaution.

[mewzilla]

I wouldn't be surprised if that's where some of the aid money goes.

[snarks_when_bored]

Don't you think a U.N. study group for that has already been formed?