Cars submerged in water in Long Beach as atmospheric river brings major flooding

Cars submerged in Long Beach floodwaters

Heavy flooding in Long Beach left cars submerged in water.

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The first of two atmospheric rivers moved into Southern California Thursday, with major flooding reported in several areas including Long Beach, where the 710 Freeway became a commute nightmare for those having to travel on the roads.

SkyFOX was over the freeway's north and southbound lanes under the Pacific Coast Highway overpass, where cars and trucks were seen trying to move through the floodwaters.

The rooftops of several vehicles submerged in the water were barely visible in the flooding.

CA storm: Cars submerged in water in Long Beach

Cars became submerged in water after a potent storm drenched Southern California with rain on Thursday, Feb. 1.

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This portion of the freeway is a lifeline for trucks transporting goods to and from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

All lanes of the southbound 710 at Pacific Coast Highway were closed due to the flooding for several hours but have since reopened.

There were no reports of any injuries.

A flash flood warning was issued around 8:30 a.m. for much of the South Bay area, including Torrance, Carson, Harbor City, Long Beach, Palos Verdes and the Port of Los Angeles.

"We just moved in, look at all our stuff," said one resident in standing water inside her garage. Long Beach city officials say a malfunctioning pump caused the problems off the Peninsula.

But business owners in the 1600 block of PCH say the drains were not clearing the rain water fast enough. "I've never seen it this bad, though," says the owner of Razor Barber Shop.

Forecasters said rain was falling in that area at rates between 1 and 1.5 inches per hour, dramatically raising the risk of flooding.

Long Beach cars submerged in flood waters

Cars in Long Beach can be seen completely engulfed in water after Thursday's storm passes through.

A general flood watch will be in effect for most of Orange County from Thursday morning through Friday morning. A high surf advisory will also be in effect for Los Angeles and Orange County beaches from 2 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Saturday, with waves of up to 9 feet possible in the O.C., and potentially reaching up to 12 feet at west-facing shorelines in L.A.

The showers are expected to continue tapering off through Thursday afternoon and evening, although some could linger into Friday morning.

"I am not looking forward to this weekend," says one employee at Tom's Burgers, referring to the bigger storm expected Sunday which is expected to bring more rain and last longer.

City News Service contributed to this report.