Insane Video Shows Flash Flood Rip Through Laguna Beach Neighborhood: Man Vs. Nature

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A storm cell triggered flash-flooding that covered Laguna Canyon Road and left many Laguna Beach city streets underwater midday Tuesday.

Laguna Beach saw power outages across the city, Patch was told. Meanwhile, one resident on Locust Street attempted to divert the onslaught of water using trash bins and willpower.

That was no match for the unceasing storm, according to Ruben Flores, owner of Laguna Nursery. Water rushed down the 400 block of Locust Street and into the courtyard of a home.

With three hours of rain still coming, Flores suggested the family call for help.

"I could go get sandbags, but I didn't know where to go," the homeowner says.

Sandbags, readily available by the city and through area Fire Stations, would have done a much better job diverting water in a much safer fashion, Flores suggested.

Flooding also struck a new housing development at Cliff and North Coast Highway was also ill-prepared to handle the rushing floodwater, mud and debris, according to Flores.

At Emerald Terrace, rainwater flooded the basement/garage area, according to Flores, filling the understory with water.

Elsewhere across town, at least one car spun out into a center divider, knocking down a light pole.

Power outages ran rampant across town during the day. Patch has reached out to SoCal Edison to see how many homes and businesses were affected by the storm.

Across the city, flash flooding caused a rapid road closure on outbound Laguna Canyon Road, where traffic paused for about 30-minutes near the Willow Staging Area. Outbound lanes of Laguna Canyon Road were closed at El Toro during the flooding.

That section of road reopened at 12:30 p.m., according to the city of Laguna Beach.

Laguna Beach was under a Flash Flood Warning until 1:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service advised Orange County residents to be wary of flooded conditions, especially while driving.

Areas affected by the Flash Flood Warning include Irvine, Tustin, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Woods, San Joaquin Hills, Newport Coast, Laguna Hills and Crystal Cove State Park.

Read also: Trapped Silverado Residents Rescued By Orange County Firefighters

The service reported that most flood deaths occur in vehicles, so if you encounter a flooded area while driving — turn around, don't drown.

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