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

OAK GLEN, CA — A fast-moving river of mud charged through Oak Glen's Potato Canyon, potentially submerging the Oak Glen Steakhouse once again, according to footage posted on social media Thursday.

Meanwhile, in the areas of Oak Glen and Forest Falls, Cal Fire /San Bernardino County Fire is working to ensure residents' safety. According to the department, Oak Glen Road from Chagall to Potato Canyon is closed for an undetermined length of time due to the impacted roadways.

Six vehicles were reported trapped by mudslides, and 15 people were sheltering along the roadside as the numerous homes in the Oak Glen area were instructed to stay safe. There were no injuries reported as of 5 p.m.

Downpours triggered by tropical thunderstorms rolling through the San Bernardino National Forest on Thursday triggered flash floods, mudslides and other hazards from Idyllwild to surrounding mountain communities.

Photojournalist FirePhotoGirl on X shared a video that showed the mudslide thundering through Potato Canyon, an area that has been severely impacted by storms in recent years.

https://t.co/yCn9pg9W4U pic.twitter.com/Em70wQiUsX
— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) September 18, 2025

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

In September of 2022, the residents and businesses of Oak Glen were confronted with "a tidal wave of mud" that barreled down the mountainside, forcing evacuations and road closures.

During that mudslide, the popular Oak Glen Steakhouse was filled with up to five feet of debris thick enough to stand on, owner Brandon Gallegos told Patch then. He said up to 70 percent of the building suffered damage from the mudslide.

Dave Alexander, a Yucaipa resident, shared pictures and video of the scene in the area around Potato Canyon over social media.

Oak glen mud flow pic.twitter.com/saG8vrjI5q
— Dave (@Dave59231377022) September 18, 2025

It was unknown on Thursday afternoon whether the steakhouse was yet again impacted by a mudslide, but videos and photos posted to X appeared to suggest that it had been. The Oak Glen Steakhouse did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Patch on Thursday.

A Flood Advisory was in effect Thursday afternoon for the entire San Gorgonio Pass, as well as the Anza Valley. The Weather Service issued a broader Flood Watch for the mountain communities and the Coachella Valley until 2 a.m. Friday.