A major highway through the Southern California desert from Los Angeles to Phoenix was damaged by flash flooding in the latest episode of monsoon storms to hit the region.
The latest series of flooding began Wednesday night and damaged the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 near the small community of Desert Center, about 165 miles (265 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
Traffic in both directions was initially stopped, but westbound lanes for motorists heading from Arizona to California were later reopened.
All eastbound traffic was diverted until the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) managed to reopen one lane Thursday morning.
Authorities recommended that people heading from Southern California use Interstates 8 or 40, which are major detours.
Photos released by Caltrans show water rushing through a deep hole in the highway’s pavement. The flooding also affected other highways in the region, including state routes 177, 78 and 62.
The National Weather Service said more flooding was possible through Thursday across a large swath of Southern California’s mountains and deserts.
Flash flooding earlier this summer severely damaged roads in Death Valley National Park, the Mojave National Preserve, and on the south side of Joshua Tree National Park.
FUENTE: Associated Press