Mudflows and flooding forced the closure of several California roads on Thursday, October 15, including Interstate 5 near the border of Kern and Los Angeles counties. The mudslides were triggered by severe thunderstorms bringing torrential rain and powerful winds to northern Los Angeles County. A weather station near Lancaster, California, recorded 2.99 inches of rain in 30 minutes, according to local reports.

The National Weather Service said life threatening flooding hit the Antelope Valley in the vicinity of Leona Valley, Quartz Hill and west Palmdale. Credit: Facebook/Jose Antonio Vargas