Rain causes flash flood, mudslide near LA

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- An intense rain storm on Thursday spurred flash floods and mudslides in the hills north of Los Angeles, weather officials said.

A sudden downpour created by an unusual combination of weather factors led to flooding and mudslides as well as 60 mph winds in parts of the Antelope Valley.

Golf-ball-sized hail dropped in a neighboring valley. Slides buried several cars and closed Interstate 5 for the evening.

Firefighters rescued four people and a dog from the vehicles. There were no injuries reported. All were transported by helicopter to safer ground, while crews searched for anyone who might be trapped.

The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings across much of Los Angeles County into the evening with showers and thundershowers expected.

A rare combination of high humidity, high ocean temperatures and a low pressure system sucking tropical air up from the south created a slow-moving storm that could dump several inches of rain on the area overnight.