Flooding and Debris Flows Cause Major Damage Across Inland Empire Communities

A winter storm turned the night before Christmas into a dangerous and chaotic situation across parts of the Inland Empire, leaving major damage, stranded motorists, and widespread travel disruptions.

High winds and heavy rain moved through San Bernardino County Wednesday afternoon, overwhelming roadways and triggering debris flows. Along Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass, more than half of the northbound lanes were at one point buried under mud and debris, leaving drivers stuck for hours.

Motorists described severe delays as conditions worsened. One driver said a trip that normally takes about three and a half hours was expected to stretch to nearly eight hours due to closures and backups caused by the storm.

Several Inland Empire communities were hit particularly hard. In Hesperia, floodwaters washed out roads and turned streets into rivers of mud. Video circulating from the area showed a man surfing through muddy floodwaters along Bear Valley Road, highlighting the severity of the flooding.

In Wrightwood, floodwaters submerged vehicles as rain poured through mountain areas already vulnerable to runoff. Emergency crews responded to multiple rescue calls and road closures throughout the region, forcing drivers to navigate detours and unexpected delays.

Officials urged residents to avoid flooded roads and to remain cautious as cleanup efforts continued. Storm damage assessments were ongoing as crews worked to clear debris and restore safe travel conditions.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.