Thousands of Southern California residents were left stranded over the weekend by several massive mudslides that residents say is the worst to strike the area in decades.
As of Monday, nearly 2,500 people remain stranded after Sunday thunderstorms caused mountain mudslides and floods to swift through the Forest Falls and Oak Glen communities, the Associated Press reported.
The disaster has already claimed the life of one person, who was found dead inside an overturned car in a creek in Mount Baldy, authorities told the AP. He was identified Monday as 48-year-old Joo Hwan Lee of El Segundo.
Roads in Forest Falls were covered in heavy debris left after floods swept through the area, leaving about 1,000 residents trapped inside their homes. Another 1,500 Oak Glen residents are also trapped.
Rescuers were able to save a Mount Baldy woman from her home moments before it was swallowed by mud.
"This is the worst we've had since at least 1969," Michael Scully, also of Mount Baldy, told the AP.
San Bernardino County authorities are also focused on helping nearly 500 children and adults left stranded at a Forest Falls campground.
"Our concern is that they're isolated at that campground and no longer have access out of the mountain," county fire spokesman Kyle Hauducoeur told the AP.
Reverse 911 calls were made to residents to urge them to stay inside. Bulldozers were dispatched to clear the rocks and debris from the roads.
With their attentions spread between both communities, county resources are being put to the ultimate use.
"Every rescue unit we have, every fire engine we have in San Bernardino County," has been dispatched, county Fire Captain Josh Wilkins told the Los Angeles Times. "We are literally approaching the maximum right now in terms of our call volume."
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