UPDATE: Flooding Forces Closure on 5 Freeway

A deluge of water and mud, likely caused by a clogged storm drain, flowed onto the Golden State (5) Freeway in Sun Valley Wednesday, shutting down both sides of the freeway and snarling traffic for miles.

The flooding was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m. near the Roscoe Boulevard ramps of the Golden State Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol. Storm runoff appeared to have overloaded a drain near a freeway overpass, sending water, mud and debris cascading onto the freeway.

Traffic initially managed to squeeze by on the inside lanes of the freeway, but eventually the mudslide covered all northbound lanes and left southbound traffic inching along by the center divider. About an hour later, the southbound side of the freeway was also closed.

With the freeway closed between Glenoaks and Sunland boulevards, traffic backed up for miles in both directions.

One vehicle became stuck in the mud on the northbound side of the freeway, but the driver was able to safely get out of the car, which was eventually towed out of the mud.

Shortly after 5 p.m., two southbound lanes were reopened, while Caltrans crews worked to clear mud and water from the rest of the roadway.

All lanes in both directions were reopened by about 10 p.m., according to the CHP.--City News Service