UPDATE: 5 Freeway Closed Due to Flooding

By City News Service

A deluge of water and mud, likely caused by a clogged storm drain, flowed onto the Golden State (5) Freeway in Sun Valley Wednesday, shutting down both sides of the freeway and snarling traffic for miles.

The flooding was first reported shortly after 1:30 p.m. near the Roscoe Boulevard ramps of the 5 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol. Storm runoff appeared to be overloading a drain near a freeway overpass, sending water cascading onto the freeway, dragging mud and debris onto the roadway.

Traffic initially managed to squeeze by on the inside lanes of the freeway, but eventually the mudslide covered all northbound lanes and left southbound traffic inching by along the center divider. About an hour later, the southbound side of the freeway was also closed.

One vehicle got stuck in the mud on the northbound side of the freeway, but the driver was able to safely get out of the vehicle, which was eventually towed out of the mud.

The freeway was closed between Glenoaks and Sunland boulevards. Some city streets in the area were also covered with water,

It was unclear how long it would take to clear the freeway, but the closures were expected to last through the afternoon rush hour.

CHP officials advised motorists heading south on the 5 to divert to the Hollywood (170) Freeway then take the eastbound Ventura (101/134) Freeway back to the southbound 5.

Northbound motorists were advised to take the 134 Freeway west to the northbound 170 Freeway, back to the northbound 5.