'Lucky To Survive:' Firefighters Help Clear IE Homes Buried In Mudflow As Residents Seek Assistance

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — In Forest Falls and Yucaipa, hand crews are literally digging out homes from a massive mudslide debris flow. The San Bernardino County Fire Department and the county's Public Works are wrapping up the "September Incident."

"This house was completely totaled, and he was lucky to survive," Shawn Millerick, information officer for the San Bernardino County Fire Department, said in a recent video release.

In total, three homes were destroyed, 11 more suffered major to minor damage, and one commercial building and four outbuildings were affected by debris flows, according to the department. "The September Incident," as it is now known, has come to an end, while those affected pick up the pieces. Crews have all returned ot their stations. Still, with wet weather returning, personnel are ready to assist if the need arises.

While handcrews scrape and dig through homes that are buried in rubble, residents pointed out a boulder the size of a suburban wasn't there before. The enormous rock tumbled from up the mountain, with little to no warning.

"This is an incident that we have all the time, and this is going to happen again," he said. "If you live in a mountainous community, Forest Falls, Wrightwood, Oak Glen, and San Jacinto Heights are all areas prone to mudslides and debris flows."

Mudslides have happened before. In Oak Glen, the favored Oak Glen Steakhouse suffered a near loss as it filled with mud and debris, requiring a massive overhaul to ultimately reopen. This time, the mud merely filled the parking lot, causing vehicles to be swept out into an enormous flow, as seen in a video captured by workers (and shared with Patch) below.

It's been a week since Potato Canyon was filled with mud. Since then, the San Bernardino County Public Works Department has cleared the majority of debris from the roadway. Oak Glen announced that it would reopen on late Thursday and Friday. "We will officially reopen Friday with normal hours," the restaurant shared over social media. Music night on Friday will return, as will the marketplace. This is the second time Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon has been affected by mud, and luckily, this time it did not breach the inside of the establishment, the manager said.

Even still, more thunderstorms are expected in the area into the weekend, the county warns.

"Residents are aware and prepared, but must stay vigilant and be ready to go at a moment's notice," Mellerick said.

For some, they are doing what they can to dig out of what feels like an impossible situation. Friends and family have started GoFundMe fundraisers to help them make necessary repairs or cover other expenses as they await further help.

In Forest Falls, Pastor Olin Richey and Jessica Richey's home was filled with mud, causing devastating damage to their home.

"They have poured so much love and service into their community, and now is our chance to give back to them in their time of need," Linda Arnold, who set up their GoFundMe fundraiser, said. Thus far, they have raised nearly $9,000 toward supporting the Forest Falls couple.

Ian and Amy Johnson are expecting their fourth baby, and while they should be filling their nursery, their Yucaipa home is instead full of mud. One week ago, torrential mountain rains led to mudslides that rushed down the canyons and filled their home with mud.

"We'd like to get them into a comfortable rental as soon as possible," a family spokesperson wrote on GoFundMe. "They lost their beautiful home and family pets in a terrifying mudslide caused by a flash flood."

Krystal Kellison, who initiated the fundraiser on behalf of Amy's family, has helped raise over $19,000 to assist them in navigating the loss of their home. The family lost two of their three pets in the disaster. Diesel and Sassy were lost to the mudslide, while Daisy the dog and Lynda the cat were later found alive, Kellison wrote. "The devastation has been big, but the outpouring of love and support has been bigger."

Related:

Residents Shelter In Place As Mudslide Rips Through Oak Glen Near Beloved Steakhouse

Beloved Oak Glen Restaurant Closes Temporarily, Awaiting Mudslide Cleanup

'It Was A Tidal Wave Of Mud,' Witnesses Say Of The Oak Glen Mudslide