Evacuation warnings in place for potential mudslide in several San Bernardino County communities
FOREST FALLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Evacuation warnings are in effect for some San Bernardino County communities due to the potential for mud and debris flows from an approaching storm.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office said the evacuation warnings are in place for the communities of Forest Falls, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and the Oak Glen area from Pendleton Road east to Glen Road (north and south).
A major mudslide in Oak Glen prompted several road closures, trapped cars and downed power lines on Thursday afternoon.
READ MORE: Major mudslide prompts road closures, downed power lines in Oak Glen
Video shared with ABC7 shows the massive mudslide rushing down a hillside, sweeping up anything in its path.
The incident happened on Potato Canyon Road, where emergency efforts were underway as homes became surrounded by mud.
A tidal wave of mud and debris swept through the communities of Forest Falls and Oak Glen after a heavy downpour. The National Weather Service had issued flash flood warnings due to the likelihood of mudslides in the San Bernardino Mountains.
This is not the first time Oak Glen and Forest Falls have experienced this type of flooding.
Three years ago, heavy storms also caused mudslides that impacted homes and roads. According to Cal Fire, that incident and Thursday's mudslide are linked to debris runoff from the 2020 El Dorado burn scar.
"It is déjà vu. I mean, the same thing as three years ago, exact same weather pattern, exact same flow pattern, a little more damage this time," said Olin Richey from Forest Falls.
This time, Richey was home when a torrent of mud, debris and water roared through, tearing off the backside of his house. He and his family are now cleaning up and salvaging what they can after narrowly escaping with their lives.
"It is terrifying. You hear the freight train, you know, and we had less than 10 seconds to get out," Richey said. "Between the time we understood the creek had blown and getting safely out of the house."
Video from Thursday afternoon shows a flash flood unleashing boulders, logs and a raging river of water into Forest Falls.
"It sounded like thunder, but I know that thunder doesn't constantly roar, and so I realized that it was another mudslide coming down," said Forest Falls resident Ted Hirsch.
Hirsch's home was safe, but his neighbor's home was destroyed. Giant logs smashed into the front of the house, crushing a truck in the debris.
"The owner and a friend were inside, and so when the water burst through the front door, they almost got washed away. The friend had to hang on for dear life," said Anton Sommer.
There was one bright spot in the devastation -- the family's dog Daisy was recovered alive.
San Bernardino County crews spent the day on Friday digging out roadways in both Forest Falls and Oak Glen.
"All the pine trees we planted, most of them, they are all gone, everything is gone," said Oak Glen resident Susan Novacoski-Bennett.
Novacoski-Bennett surveyed her two-acre property. The once idyllic setting is now under several feet of mud. She and her husband, a retired Navy Commander, don't know how they'll dig out.
"We really need help. So, if there is anyone who can hear my voice who has a heart for a veteran, this is a time a veteran really needs help," Novacoski-Bennett said.
San Bernardino County fire confirmed no lives were lost on Thursday, but with homes buried in the mud and families displaced, recovery will take some time. They're asking the public to stay out of the area for now.
