Thunderstorm Floods I-15 Lanes, Wreaks Havoc On Commute

CORONA, CA —Thunderstorm cells tracking south to north in the area of Corona Monday unloaded heavy rainfall along Interstate 15 and roads in the vicinity of Lake Mathews, prompting multiple closures.

The rain bursts flooded lanes on southbound I-15 at Dos Lagos Drive/Weirick Road about 3:50 p.m., leading the California Highway Patrol to post a SigAlert as drivers attempted to navigate lanes without being able to see divider lines.

Around the same time, the same cell dumped copious precipitation on Estelle Mountain and Gavilan Springs roads, less than a mile south of Lake Mathews, the CHP said.

A flash flood occurred, trapping a driver and passenger in a sedan on Estelle Mountain, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Crews reached the location within a few minutes and discovered the occupants standing on the roof of the vehicle, officials said.

The pair were safely extricated and were not injured.

The roadway was shut down for public safety.

According to National Weather Service radar, the rain was expected to dissipate by 6 p.m. in the Riverside metropolitan area, after which most of the precipitation would be concentrated at the higher elevations.